FOR PRESS 22 MAY 1977
THE 1977 REFERENDUM
I would like to thank the people of Australia for their
support. There has been a strong ' yes' vote nationally
for all four proposals and it is clear that three of the
questions have been carried in four or more States.
Although it will be some time before we have a final
result it now seems unlikely that the question on simultaneous
elections will have the requisite majority of four States,
despite the fact that a majority of Australians have
registered their support for it. In New South Wales,
Victoria and South Australia, every electorate voted ' yes'
on all four questions, and there was substantial support
in the other States.
In the 77 years of Federation a total of 36 questions have
been put at referendums on 16 different occasions.
Until now, the the total of Constitutional changes approved
at these referendums was only five.
As a result of yesterday's vote the total now rises to at least
eight. Yesterday's result certainly vindicates the great
effort that went into the Hobart Constitutional Convention
last year and into the ' yes' campaign the past two weeks.
I regret that a misleading campaign was mounted against the
simultaneous election proposal. It will be sometime before
we know how effective those deceptions were.
I am particularly gratified that the proposal for filling
casual vacancies has been accepted. This is perhaps the most
important of the four questions. Its passage will put a halt
to the manipulation which the Labor administration attempted
in 1974. It means the right of the people to have their choice
preserved has been protected, in relation to both State and
Federal Government. The proposal made great sense and I notice
it won overwhelming support. / 2
2.
Justice has now been done in respect of the Northern
Territory and Australian Capital Territory. Residents of those
Territories will have the same rights to vote in any future
referendums as their fellow Australians.
Also as a result of this referendum a retiring age will be
put for appointments to the High Court.
Again, I would like to thank the people of Australia for their support
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