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  |
% | No  |
% | 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".
