Australian referendum, 1977 (Simultaneous Elections)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Constitution Alteration (Simultaneous Elections) 1977 proposed for the second time that the Constitution be altered to ensure that elections for both houses of parliament occurred simultaneously. The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1977.

[edit] Results

It is proposed to alter the Constitution to ensure that Senate elections are held at the same time as House of Representatives elections.

Do you approve the proposed law?

Result
State On

rolls

Ballots

issued

For Against Informal
 %  %
New South Wales 3,007,511 2,774,388 1,931,775  %70.71 800,331  %29.29 42,282
Victoria 2,252,831 2,083,136 1,325,708  %65.00 713,929  %35.00 43,499
Queensland 1,241,426 1,138,842 534,968  %47.51 590,942  %52.49 12,932
South Australia 799,243 745,990 480,827  %65.99 247,762  %34.01 17,401
Western Australia 682,291 617,463 292,344  %48.47 310,765  %51.53 14,354
Tasmania 259,081 246,063 82,785  %34.26 158,818  %65.74 4,460
Total for Commonwealth 8,242,383 7,605,882 4,648,407  %62.22 2,822,547  %37.78 134,928
Obtained majority in three States and an overall

majority of 1,825,860 votes.

Not

carried

[edit] Discussion

This was one of the few occasions that the double majority rule resulting in a referendum with a clear 'Yes' overall majority was nevertheless not carried.

[edit] See also

[[Category:1977 in Australia|Referendum (Simultaneous Elections)[[Category:Australian referendums|1977 (Simultaneous Elections)