Australia's last referendum

The last referendum held in Australia was held on Saturday 6 November 1999. Australians were asked to vote on two proposed laws to alter the Constitution:

1. Constitution Alteration (Establishment of Republic) 1999
   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.
2. Constitution Alteration (Preamble) 1999
   To alter the Constitution to insert a preamble.

Both proposed laws were not carried. The AEC produced a complete report on its role in the 1999 referendum, which includes all results from the two votes.

1999 Referendum Report and Statistics

Contents

• Foreword

Introduction

• The Australian Electoral Commission
• The role of the Australian Electoral Commission at a referendum
• The structure of the Australian Electoral Commission

Referendum background

• Changing the Australian Constitution
• Historical referendum results

Leading up to the 1999 referendum

• Leading up to the 1999 referendum
• The Constitutional Convention
• Legislation for the proposed constitutional changes
• Legislation to conduct the referendum

1999 Referendum

• Republic question
• Preamble question
• Issue of the writs
• 1999 referendum timetable
• Highlights of the 1999 referendum

Enrolment

• Enrolment
• The electoral roll
• Close of rolls
• Lists of electors

Polling Arrangements

• Polling Arrangements
• Automated postal Voting
• Polling logistics

Voting

• Types of votes
• Voting before polling day
• Mobile polling
• Overseas Voting
• Antarctic voting

Polling day

• Polling places
• Polling officials
• Issuing of ballot papers
• Declaration Votes
• How to vote
• Scrutineers during the polling
• Division of Holt by-election

Referendum night

• Counting at polling places
• Formal and informal Voting
• Scrutineers during the counting
• Virtual tally room

Scrutiny after referendum night

• Declaration vote scrutiny
• Scanning lists of electors

Key results

• National results
• Voting turnout
• Statement of results
• Return of the writs

Public information campaign

• Public Information Campaign
• Public Relations
• Publications
• Yes/No case pamphlet
• National telephone enquiry service
• Telephone interpreting service
• Internet
• Special target groups
• Education activities
• Government sponsored information campaigns

International visitor program

• List of participants in the international visitors program

Referendum litigation

• The Benwell Injunction Application
• The Ford Injunction Application
• The Buzzacott Injunction Application
• The Coe Injunction Application

Reviews

• Reviews
• Review of the training of polling staff program

Statistical results

• Enrolment
• Declaration Votes Received
• Votes Counted by Vote Type – Republic
• Votes Counted by Vote Type – Preamble
• Turnout – Republic and Preamble
• Informal Voting – Republic and Preamble
• Summary of Results – Republic
• Summary of Results – Preamble
• Results by vote type – Republic
• Results by vote type – Preamble

Appendices

• A. List of overseas voting posts and votes issued
• B. Referendum costs
• C. AEC central and head office addresses

ISBN 064251870X

© Commonwealth of Australia 2000

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