The 1917 Australian plebiscite was held on 20 December 1917. It contained one question.

• (2) Military Service

The Plebicite

This plebiscite was held due to the Government's desire to increase the available forces for overseas service during the ongoing World War I, to a total of 7000 men per month. It was conducted under the War Precautions (Military Service Referendum) Regulations 1917

Results

Are you in favour of the proposal of the Commonwealth Government for reinforcing the Australian Imperial Force overseas?

Result

State	On rolls	Ballots issued	For		Against		Informal
				%		%
New South Wales	1,055,883	853,894	341,256	%41.16	487,774	%58.84	24,864
Victoria	807,331	678,806	329,772	%49.79	332,490	%50.21	16,544
Queensland	378,378	310,164	132,771	%44.02	168,875	%55.98	8,518
South Australia	261,661	197,970	86,663	%44.90	106,364	%55.10	4,943
Western Australia	162,347	135,593	84,116	%64.39	46,522	%35.61	4,955
Tasmania	106,803	78,792	38,881	%50.24	38,502	%49.76	1,409
Federal Territories	4,037	3,002	1,700	%58.22	1,220	%41.78	82
Total for Commonwealth	2,776,440	2,258,221*	1,015,159	%46.21	1,181,747	%53.79	61,315
Obtained majority in two States and an overall minority of 166,588 votes.
Not carried

* Including 199 677 votes by members of the Australian Imperial Force, of which 103 789 were for, 93 910 against, and 1978 informal.

See Also