When was the second referendum in Australia?

Second referendum Hughes remained Prime Minister for the rest of the First World War and continued to fight for conscription. The second referendum, held on 20 December 1917, was also voted down, this time by a larger majority. On 11 November 1918 peace was finally declared.

What was the topic of the 1999 Australian referendum?

A proposed law: To alter the Constitution to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with the Queen and Governor-General being replaced by a President appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth Parliament.

When did Australia have its first referendum?

First referendum: 1898 In June 1898 referendums were held in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Australia was the first nation to take a proposed constitution to the people for approval. (Switzerland had held a referendum to approve changes to its constitution in 1874).

In what months were referendums held in 1899?

1899 and 1900 referendums

What was Australia called before 1901?

Before 1900, there was no actual country called Australia, only the six colonies – New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia. While these colonies were on the same continent, they were governed like six rival countries and there was little communication between them.

What does double majority mean in Australia?

If the bill is passed by the Parliament, the proposal must then be presented to Australian voters in a referendum. A referendum is only passed if it is approved by a majority of voters across the nation and a majority of voters in a majority of states—this is known as a double majority.

Why was the 1999 referendum not carried?

The two proposed constitutional changes put to Australian electors at the 1999 referendum were not approved by a ‘double majority’ of electors. Therefore the proposals for constitutional change were not carried.

Was the 1999 referendum passed?

Whilst the referendum proposal almost passed in Victoria (49.84%), and received a 46.43% affirmative vote in New South Wales, in most of the smaller states the affirmative vote was little more than 40%.

What rights did the Aboriginal community not have?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote communities are being denied basic rights, equal treatment and fair payment for work as a result of Federal Government policy, the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) and the Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) told a Senate inquiry.

Who found Australia first?

Willem Janszoon
While Indigenous Australians have inhabited the continent for tens of thousands of years, and traded with nearby islanders, the first documented landing on Australia by a European was in 1606. The Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon landed on the western side of Cape York Peninsula and charted about 300 km of coastline.

What is needed to pass a referendum in Australia?

A referendum is only passed if it is approved by a majority of voters across the nation and a majority of voters in a majority of states—this is known as a double majority. Territory voters are only counted in the national majority. If a referendum is successful, the change is made to the Constitution.

What was the result of the 1899 referendum?

In 1899, as a result of amendments to the Constitution recommended by New South Wales, the colonies organised a second round of referendums. This time New South Wales required only a simple majority of ‘yes’ votes. Queensland also joined the process. Majorities were achieved in all colonies.

When was the first referendum held for the Federation of Australia?

Referendums asking people to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the proposed Australian Constitution were held in each of the Australian colonies between 1898 and 1900. This was one of the most important steps in the process of Federation. It was also the first time in the world that a national constitution had been submitted to the people’s vote.

What was the result of the second New South Wales referendum?

When the referendum failed, Reid negotiated with other Premiers to make changes to the draft Constitution. A second referendum was held in New South Wales in 1899, and this time it passed because a large enough majority voted ‘yes’.

When was the second referendum on the Constitution?

Following a series of amendments made to the proposed constitution at the Secret Premiers meeting on 31 January and 1 February 1899, a second referendum was required in the four states, whilst on 2 September, Queensland held a referendum on the constitution for the first time. All five states saw a majority vote in favour.