The Constitution
Republic referendum
06 November 1999
The majority of Australian voters say ‘no’ to becoming a republic with an Australian head of state.
In 1999 a referendum was held which asked the Australian people if Australia should become a republic, with the role of the monarch and Governor-General replaced by an Australian head of state.
A year earlier, in February 1998, over 150 elected and appointed delegates from all Australian states and territories met at Old Parliament House. They debated whether the Australian Constitution should be changed to make Australia a republic, and how a new head of state would be chosen. This Constitutional Convention supported Australia becoming a republic, with a president appointed by a two-thirds majority of members of the Australian Parliament.
The referendum was put to the people in November 1999. This republic model was not supported by the double majority required to change the Constitution. In fact, it did not receive a majority of ‘yes’ votes in any of the states or across Australia.
1999 referendum pamphlet
National Library of Australia, courtesy of the Australian Electoral Commission
1999 referendum pamphlet
National Library of Australia, courtesy of the Australian Electoral Commission
Description
This official referendum pamphlet was published by the Australian Electoral Commission ahead of the 1999 referendum. It was distributed to every person listed on the electoral roll for the 1999 referendum. The pamphlet contains the arguments for the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ cases prepared by members of parliament.
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