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The 1916 Australian plebiscite was held on 28 October 1916. It was the first Australian plebiscite, and contained one question.
The Plebiscite
This plebiscite was held due to the Government's desire to increase the available forces for overseas service during the ongoing World War I. It was conducted under the Military Service Referendum Act 1916
Results
Are you in favour of the Government having, in this grave emergency, the same compulsory powers over citizens in regard to requiring their military service, for the term of this war, outside the Commonwealth, as it now has in regard to military service within the Commonwealth?
Result
| State |
On
rolls |
Ballots
issued |
For |
Against |
Informal |
| |
% |
|
% |
| New South Wales |
1,055,986 |
858,399 |
356,805 |
%42.92 |
474,544 |
%57.08 |
27,050 |
| Victoria |
824,972 |
696,684 |
353,930 |
%51.88 |
328,216 |
%48.12 |
14,538 |
| Queensland |
366,042 |
309,921 |
144,200 |
%47.71 |
158,051 |
%52.29 |
7,670 |
| South Australia |
262,781 |
211,252 |
87,924 |
%42.44 |
119,236 |
%57.56 |
4,092 |
| Western Australia |
167,602 |
140,648 |
94,069 |
%69.71 |
40,884 |
%30.29 |
5,695 |
| Tasmania |
107,875 |
88,231 |
48,493 |
%56.17 |
37,833 |
%43.83 |
1,905 |
| Federal Territories |
4,572 |
3,468 |
2,136 |
%62.73 |
1,269 |
%37.27 |
63 |
| Total for Commonwealth |
2,789,830 |
2,308,603* |
1,087,557 |
%48.39 |
1,160,033 |
%51.61 |
61,013 |
| Obtained majority in three States and an overall
minority of 72 476 votes. |
| Not carried |
*Including 133,813 votes by members of the Australian
Imperial Force, of which 72,399 were for, 58,894 against, and 2,520
informal.
See Also
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