The Constitution Alteration (Legislative Powers) Bill 1919, was an unsuccessful proposal to alter the Australian Constitution to temporarily extend Commonwealth legislative powers with respect to trade and commerce, corporations, industrial matters and trusts that was put to voters for approval in a referendum held in 1919. If approved, the amendments would have operated for a maximum of 3 years. The 1919 referendum was held in conjunction with the 1919 federal election.
Question Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Legislative Powers) 1919'?
Results + Result State Electoral roll Ballots issued For Against Informal Vote % Vote % New South Wales 1,079,439 717,565 259,751 39.95 390,450 67,132 Victoria 837,408 638,098 369,210 201,869 35.35 66,227 Queensland 389,200 330,231 175,225 130,299 42.65 24,397 South Australia 268,235 178,092 40,520 25.28 119,789 17,656 Western Australia 163,544 103,235 48,142 44,892 48.25 9,854 Tasmania 112,036 65,716 18,509 33.43 36,861 10,128 Total for Commonwealth 2,849,862 2,032,937 911,357 49.65 924,160 195,394 Results Obtained majority in three states and an overall minority of 12,803 votes. Not carried
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