Australian referendum, 1988 (Fair Elections)

Constitution Alteration (Fair Elections) 1988 proposed to enshrine in the Constitution of Australia a guarantee that all Commonwealth, State and Territory elections would be conducted democratically. The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1988. The main aim of the question was to enshrine the One vote, one value principle in the Constitution.[1]

This referendum question came about due to the widespread malapportionment and gerrymandering which was endemic during Joh Bjelke-Petersen's term as the Queensland Premier. It was opposed by both the Liberal Party of Australia and the National Party of Australia.[1]

Results

A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to provide for fair and democratic parliamentary elections throughout Australia.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

State On rolls Ballots issued Yes Green tick % No Red X % Informal
New South Wales 3,564,856 3,297,246 1,159,713 35.57% 2,100,604 64.43% 36,929
Victoria 2,697,096 2,491,183 981,508 40.12% 1,465,119 59.88% 44,556
Queensland 1,693,247 1,542,293 686,765 44.81% 845,767 55.19% 9,761
South Australia 937,974 873,511 263,006 30.61% 596,102 69.39% 14,403
Western Australia 926,636 845,209 266,639 32.02% 566,145 67.98% 12,425
Tasmania 302,324 282,785 80,608 28.89% 198,372 71.11% 3,805
Australian Capital Territory 166,131 149,128 76,815 51.99% 70,937 48.01% 1,376
Northern Territory 74,695 56,370 23,763 42.99% 31,512 57.01% 1,095
Total for Commonwealth 10,362,959 9,537,725 3,538,817 37.59% 5,874,558 62.41% 124,350

Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 2,335,741 votes. Therefore, it was "Not carried".

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Singleton, Gwynneth; Don Aitkin; Brian Jinks; John Warhurst (2012). Australian Politcal Institutions. Pearson Higher Education AU. p. 271. ISBN 1442559497. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
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