Australian referendum, 1911 (Trade and Commerce)

Constitution Alteration (Legislative Powers) 1910 was an Australian referendum held in the 1911 referendums which sought to alter the Australian Constitution to extend the Commonwealth power in respect of trade and commerce, the control of corporations, labour and employment and combinations and monopolies. All of the proposed changes were contained within the one question.

Question

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

Results

Result
State On

rolls

 Ballots

issued

 For Against Informal Result
% %
New South Wales 868,194 384,188 135,968 36.11% 240,605 63.89% 7,396 No
Victoria 723,377 448,566 170,288 38.64% 270,390 61.36% 7,554 No
Queensland 293,003 162,135 69,552 43.75% 89,420 56.25% 3,002 No
South Australia 216,027 133,802 50,358 38.07% 81,904 61.93% 1,374 No
Western Australia 138,697 61,482 33,043 54.86% 27,185 45.14% 870 Yes
Tasmania 102,326 58,053 24,147 42.11% 33,200 57.89% 673 No
Total for Commonwealth 2,341,624 1,248,226 483,356 39.42% 742,704 60.58% 20,869 No
Obtained majority in one State and an overall minority of 259,348 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 Commonwealth over these matters.

See also