Australian referendum, 1911 (Monopolies)

Constitution Alteration (Monopolies) 1910 was an Australian referendum held in the 1911 referendums which sought to alter the Australian Constitution to give the Commonwealth power to nationalise any corporation deemed by both houses of parliament to be a monopoly.

Question

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Monopolies) 1910'?

Results

Result
State On

rolls

 Ballots

issued

 For Against Informal
% %
New South Wales 868,194 384,188 138,237 %36.72 238,177 %63.28 7,618
Victoria 723,377 448,566 171,453 %38.95 268,743 %61.05 8,041
Queensland 293,003 162,135 70,259 %44.26 88,472 %55.74 3,200
South Australia 216,027 133,802 50,835 %38.42 81,479 %61.58 1,344
Western Australia 138,697 61,482 33,592 %55.84 26,561 %44.16 898
Tasmania 102,326 58,053 24,292 %42.43 32,960 %57.57 753
Total for Commonwealth 2,341,624 1,248,226 488,668 %39.89 736,392 %60.11 21,854
Obtained majority in one State and an overall minority of 247,724 votes.
Not carried

Discussion

This was the first of many times that similar questions were asked at a referendum. On every occasion the public decided not to vest power in the government over monopolies.

See also