1974 Australian referendum (Local Government Bodies)

The Constitution Alteration (Local Government Bodies) Bill 1974,[1] was an unsuccessful proposal to alter the Australian Constitution to allow the Commonwealth to grant financial assistance to local government bodies, and to borrow money on their behalf. It was put to voters for approval in a referendum held on 18 May 1974.

1974 Australian Local Government Bodies referendum
18 May 1974 (1974-05-18)
An Act to alter the Constitution to enable the Commonwealth to borrow money for, and to grant financial assistance to, local government bodies

Do you approve the proposed law?
Results
Choice
 Votes  %
Yes 3,406,724 46.85%
No 3,864,777 53.15%
Valid votes 7,271,501 98.12%
Invalid or blank votes 139,010 1.88%
Total votes 7,410,511 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 7,759,714 95.5%

Question

Proposed law entitled "An Act to alter the Constitution to enable the Commonwealth to borrow money for, and to grant financial assistance to, local government bodies".

Do you approve the proposed law?

The proposal was to insert into section 51 that the Parliament have power to make laws with respect to:

(ivA.) The borrowing of money by the Commonwealth for local government bodies

And to add a new section 96A

96A. The Parliament may grant financial assistance to any local government body on such terms and conditions as the Parliament thinks fit.[1]

Results
Result [2]
State Electoral roll Ballots issued For Against Informal
Vote  % Vote  %
New South Wales 2,834,558 2,702,903 1,350,274 50.79 1,308,039 49.21 44,590
Victoria 2,161,474 2,070,893 961,664 47.38 1,068,120 52.62 41,109
Queensland 1,154,762 1,098,401 473,465 43.68 610,537 56.32 14,399
South Australia 750,308 722,434 298,489 42.52 403,479 57.48 20,466
Western Australia 612,016 577,989 229,337 40.67 334,529 59.33 14,123
Tasmania 246,596 237,891 93,495 40.03 140,073 59.97 4,323
Total for Commonwealth 7,759,714 7,410,511 3,406,724 46.85 3,864,777 53.15 139,010
Results Obtained majority in one state and an overall minority of 458,053 votes. Not carried

See also

References
  1. Constitution Alteration (Local Government Bodies) Bill 1974 (Cth).
  2. Handbook of the 44th Parliament (2014) "Part 5 - Referendums and Plebiscites - Referendum results". Parliamentary Library of Australia.
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