The 1999 Australian referendum was a two question referendum held on 6 November 1999. The first question asked whether Australia should become a republic with a President appointed by Parliament, a bi-partisan appointment model which had previously been decided at a Constitutional Convention in February 1998. The second question, generally deemed to be far less important politically, asked whether Australia should alter the constitution to insert a preamble. Neither of the amendments passed, with the 'no' side in the first question receiving 54.4% of the vote. Elections Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita, originally a decree of the Concilium Plebis) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ... November 6 is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... in particular, for the archaizing senses of republic, as a translation of politeia or res publica Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A republic is a form of government maintained by a state or country whose sovereignty is based on consent of the governed... President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, trade unions, universities, and countries. ... The main entrance to Parliament House in Canberra, with the flag mast visible. ... The Bi-partisan appointment republican model is a proposal for Australian constitutional reform. ... In Australian history, the term Constitutional Convention refers to five distinct gatherings. ... Look up Preamble in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

The divisions among the electorate

Main article: Republicanism in Australia

For some years opinion polls had suggested that a majority of the electorate favoured republicanism,^[1] but the referendum was nonetheless comfortably defeated. The majority of analysis has advanced two main reasons for the referendum defeat: Republicanism in Australia is the movement to change Australias status as a constitutional monarchy (a Commonwealth Realm) to a republican form of government (a Commonwealth republic). ...

Firstly, Australians have traditionally been cautious about proposed constitutional change: only eight of 43 referendums since 1909 have been approved by a majority of voters in a majority of states (as they must to succeed). In Sir Robert Menzies' words, "to get an affirmative vote from the Australian people on a referendum proposal is one of the labours of Hercules." ^{[citation needed]} Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, KT, AK, CH, FRS, QC (20 December 1894 – 15 May 1978), Australian politician, was the twelfth and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia, serving eighteen and a half years. ... Hercules and the Nemean Lion (detail), silver plate, 6th century BC (Cabinet des Médailles, Paris). ...

Second, public opinion was not (and still is not) divided in a simple yes/no manner. The major opinion groups were:

• Traditional monarchists who held their beliefs largely on principled and/or sentimental attachment to the monarchy, in part based on traditional associations with the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth of Nations and a personal identification with Elizabeth II and her family. Many were older or from rural rather than urban areas.
• Pragmatic monarchists who maintained that, whatever the argued weaknesses of the current system, it also had many strengths; following the motto of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". The view of this group was that constitutional monarchy provides the basis for stable democratic government, with the Governor-General (the monarch's nominal representative) acting as an impartial, non-political "umpire" of the political process. Many claimed that republican government would lead to instability or even dictatorship and result in an undesirable politicisation of the office of head of state.
• Minimal change republicans who aimed to replace the monarch with an appointed Australian head of state, but otherwise maintain the current system as unchanged as possible. Within this group, there were a small group of supporters of the ultra-minimalist McGarvie Model, but generally the favoured model of these groups was appointment by a two-thirds majority of a joint sitting of Parliament.
• Progressive republicans who aimed to replace the monarch with a popularly elected head of state.
• Radical republicans, who saw the minimal change option as purely cosmetic, and desired comprehensive revision to the current Westminister-based system. This was easily the smallest major group, but prominent in the debate.
• Tactical voters, who took a long-term view and voted against their inclinations. Many traditional and pragmatic monarchists perceived a weight of inevitability and voted "yes" to the minimalist republic in order to avoid a more radical republic. Many sentimental republicans voted "no" in the hope of a more radical or populist proposal winning a future referendum.
• The Uncommitted — as in all electorates, a large proportion of the electorate remained unattached to either side. (Uncommitted 'swinging voters' are often the decisive force in shaping referendums results and election outcomes in democracies worldwide.)

For the comic series, see Monarchy (comics). ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... Democracy describes a number of related forms of government. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A dictatorship is an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by a dictator. ... The McGarvie Model is a proposition for change to the Australian Constitution to remove references to the monarchy and establish a republic. ... The Parthenons facade showing an interpretation of golden rectangles in its proportions. ... Elections Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      Swing vote is a multi-genre band with Jack, Marc, Ryan and Alex hailing from New Jersey. ...

Alternative methods for selecting a president

• Election
  • by the federal Parliament alone
  • by federal and state Parliaments (as in India)
  • by a popular vote (as in the Republic of Ireland)

• Selection
  • by the Prime Minister
  • by consensus among the Government and Opposition
  • by a constitutional council (known as the McGarvie Model)

Different groups within the republican cause expressed views as to which one was preferable. Some were committed to one option exclusively. The Parliament of Australia is the legislative branch of Australia. ... This article is about the political process. ... Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... The McGarvie Model is a proposition for change to the Australian Constitution to remove references to the monarchy and establish a republic. ...

The two sides

The 'Yes' side

Main article: Australian Republican Movement

The "yes" campaign was divided in detail but nevertheless managed to present a fairly united and coherent message, and was notable for unlikely alliances between traditional opponents - former Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser gave joint statements, for example. Many other prominent Australians also endorsed the yes vote - which, however, led to claims that the movement was "elitist" in sentiment and led by politicians rather than people. Viewing the case for a republic as fairly self-evident and broadly supported by the Australian populace, their advertising concentrated mainly on the positive symbolism of the republican case. The Australian Republican Movement was founded in July 1991. ... Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC (born 11 July 1916), known as Gough Whitlam (, pronounced Goff), is an Australian former politician and 21st Prime Minister of Australia. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... This article is about the former Prime Minister of Australia; for the Western Australian public servant, see Malcolm Fraser (surveyor). ...

The 'No' side

The organised "no" campaign was a mixture of monarchist groups such as Australians for Constitutional Monarchy (ACM) and the Australian Monarchist League. Additionally it included some republican groups who did not feel that the proposed model was satisfactory, in particular they thought the people should elect the President. Headed by Kerry Jones of ACM, the "no" campaign concentrated on the alleged flaws of the model on offer, considering those who supported the "yes" push as "elites", and skilfully managing to appeal both to those apprehensive about the change on one hand, and those feeling the model didn't go far enough on the other. Their advertising emphasised voting no to "this republic", implying to direct-election supporters that a model more to their preferences was likely to be put in the future. Australians for Constitutional Monarchy (ACM) was founded in June 1992 to defend the Australian Constitution, the role of the Crown in it, and to preserve the role of the Queen of Australia, represented by the Governor-General, as Australias constitutional head of state. ... The Australian Monarchist League was founded in 1943 to support the role of the Crown in the Australias constitutional system. ... Kerry Jones has been the national executive-director for Sydney-based Australians for Constitutional Monarchy (ACM) since The Hon. ...

The common elements within the no campaign were the view that the model proposed was undemocratic and would lead to a "politician's republic". "No" campaigners called for further consultation, while remaining non-specific on what steps were needed to ensure this.

The questions and results

Republic question

The questions of being a republic put to electors was whether they approved of:

A proposed law: To alter the Constitution to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with the Queen and Governor-General being replaced by a President appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth Parliament.

Preamble question

Electors were also asked to vote on a second question at the 1999 referendum which asked whether they approved of:

A proposed law: To alter the Constitution to insert a preamble.

The preamble would then have read

With hope in God, the Commonwealth of Australia is constituted as a democracy with a federal system of government to serve the common good.

We the Australian people commit ourselves to this Constitution:

proud that our national unity has been forged by Australians from many ancestries;

never forgetting the sacrifices of all who defended our country and our liberty in time of war;

upholding freedom, tolerance, individual dignity and the rule of law;

honouring Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, the nation's first people, for their deep kinship with their lands and for their ancient and continuing cultures which enrich the life of our country;

recognising the nation-building contribution of generations of immigrants;

mindful of our responsibility to protect our unique natural environment;

supportive of achievement as well as equality of opportunity for all;

and valuing independence as dearly as the national spirit which binds us together in both adversity and success.

Results

In order to pass, each question required a majority 'Yes' vote, as well as a majority of states (four or more) to have a majority 'Yes' vote. Voters in the territories only count towards the national vote. In practice, the requirement is to carry four states, as there has never been a referendum which carried four states and failed to pass, whereas there have been several that gained an overall majority but failed to carry four states.

Capital Sydney Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Professor Marie Bashir Premier Morris Iemma (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 50  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $305,437 (1st)  - Product per capita  $45,153/person (4th) Population (End of March 2006)  - Population  6,817,100 (1st)  - Density  8. ... Slogan or Nickname: Garden State, The Place to Be Motto(s): Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Government Constitutional monarchy Governor David de Kretser Premier Steve Bracks (resigning effective 30th July 2007) (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 37  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05... Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  4,164,590 (3rd)  - Density  2. ... Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $100,900 (4th)  - Product per capita  $50,355/person... Capital Adelaide Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 11  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $59,819 (5th)  - Product per capita  $38,838/person (7th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  1,558,200 (5th)  - Density  1. ... Capital Hobart Government Constitutional monarchy Governor William Cox Premier Paul Lennon (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 5  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $16,114 (7th)  - Product per capita  $33,243/person (8th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  489,600 (6th)  - Density  7. ... Capital Canberra Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator none Chief Minister Jon Stanhope (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2006)  - Product ($m)  $19,167 (6th)  - Product per capita  $57,303/person (1st) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  333,667 (7th)  - Density  137. ... Slogan or Nickname: The Territory, The NT, The Top End Motto(s): none Other Australian states and territories Capital Darwin Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator Ted Egan Chief Minister Clare Martin (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $10,418 (8th)  - Product...

Analysis of results

Roughly 55% of the nation voted "no" and all states voted "no". This was broadly as expected: the real surprise was the distribution of the votes. As expected, traditionally conservative states and rural areas were strongholds for the constitutional monarchy; but wealthy city electorates mostly voted "yes", and blue-ribbon Labor seats in working-class suburbs voted "no". The failure of the opinion pollsters to pick up these trends has caused many people to question their methodology.

One aspect of this referendum that is consistently overlooked by the political class is how politicians as a group are perceived in the Australian community, particularly by electors in the lower socio-economic levels, and how this shaped their attitude to the referendum.

Reactions

The outcome was met with angst by the republicans. Some, notably Australian Republican Movement president Malcolm Turnbull, spoke bitterly in the aftermath, blaming Prime Minister Howard in particular for their defeat. Despite the hopes of radical republicans such as Phil Cleary, the referendum defeat was generally viewed as a setback for the republican cause and no further referendums on the subject were mooted by the Howard government. Malcolm Bligh Turnbull (born 24 October 1954), Australian politician, is the Federal Minister for Environment and Water Resources. ... Phil Cleary is an Australian commentator on politics and sport, particularly Australian Rules Football. ...

ACM leader Kerry Jones called for citizens to accept the result and go forward "as a united nation". In recent years some republicans have called for a second referendum, proposing either a different style of presidency or a more generalised "republic or monarchy" question as a "first step" to establishing a new Head of State system. Kerry Jones has been the national executive-director for Sydney-based Australians for Constitutional Monarchy (ACM) since The Hon. ...

Why the referendum was defeated

On the face of things, with republican models of one form or another winning a majority in opinion polls, it might have been expected that the republican referendum would pass comfortably. However, few mainstream republicans were wholly agreed about the proposed mechanisms for replacing the monarch and Governor-General with either an appointed head of state (which was widely criticised as being undemocratic), or with an elected head of state (which was widely criticised as moving Australia away from the proven Westminster System toward an American-style presidential system, even though many Parliamentary republics directly elect non-executive Presidents). The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, in London. ... A presidential system, also called a congressional system, is a system of government where the executive branch exists and presides (hence the term) separate from the legislature, to which it is not accountable, and which cannot in normal circumstances dismiss it. ... Parliamentary republics around the world, shown in Orange (Parliamentary republics with a non-executive President) and Green (Parliamentary republics with an executive President linked to Parliament). ...

The former model (with an appointed head) was the one endorsed by the Constitutional Convention and put forward at the referendum. It was broadly supported by both minimalist and progressive republicans, including almost all Labor and some conservative politicians. It was opposed by royalists of both kinds, although republicans claim that some voted for it as the Convention's recommended model because they saw it as the model least likely to succeed. ACM delegates at the Convention, following their policy of "No Republic" abstained from that vote, and in doing so allowed the model to pass. The radical republicans were ambivalent, reasoning that a simple cosmetic removal of the monarchy would make more far-reaching and substantial changes impossible.

The question of sectarianism and demographics in the referendum

Some commentators claimed the referendum campaign and result was evidence that old sectarian and ethnic tensions in Australia persisted, with Protestants of British background supporting the monarchy and Catholics — predominantly of Irish and non-British heritage — supporting the republic.^[2] Certainly, during the campaign Harold Scruby of Ausflag publicised a concern that around 300,000 exceptionally enfranchised British subjects who were not Australian citizens would vote solidly as a loyalist bloc in favour of the monarchy.^[3] Sectarianism refers (usually pejoratively) to a rigid adherence to a particular sect or party or religious denomination. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Ausflag is an apolitical Australian not for profit organization that exists to promote debate on Australias national symbols, in particular the flag of Australia. ... The Australia Act of 1986 (No. ... In general, a loyalist is an individual who is loyal to the powers that be. ...

The Yes vote was undoubtedly strongest amongst the core Labor constituency of urban allophone migrants and their descendants and those of an Irish Catholic background^[4] — for these groups the monarchy embodied British imperialism and was, hence, an anachronism in modern multicultural Australia. Conversely, the No vote was strongest amongst the core conservative constituencies of rural Anglophone and Anglo-Australian communities and the Protestant middle class. For these groups, the monarchy represented tradition and continuity. In phonetics, an allophone is one of several similar phones that belong to the same phoneme. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Multiculturalism or cultural pluralism is a policy, ideal, or reality that emphasizes the unique characteristics of different cultures in the world, especially as they relate to one another in immigrant receiving nations. ...

Nonetheless, considerable numbers of Catholics voted No and considerable numbers of Protestants voted Yes. Similarly, large numbers of Australians of British background voted Yes and large numbers of Australians of Irish and allophone background voted No. It has also been claimed these divisions were class-based rather than or as well as sectarian: the No campaign succeeded in portraying the Yes camp as an un-Australian elite of "chardonnay-drinking Catholics in posh sea-side suburbs of Sydney who were not interested in the views of beer-drinking members of the Returned Servicemen's clubs in the working class Western suburbs"^[5] and the status quo, conversely, as representative of quintessential Australia.

After the referendum defeat, the consensus amongst analysts was to mythologise it as an exemplification of the core Australian trait of anti-authoritarianism ("long time republican[s] refused to vote for a republic because the republicans tried too hard")^[6], even though it was, by definition, a triumph for the establishment.

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Republicanism in Australia
• Monarchy in Australia

Republicanism in Australia is the movement to change Australias status as a constitutional monarchy (a Commonwealth Realm) to a republican form of government (a Commonwealth republic). ... Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ...

External links

• Australian Electoral Commission Referendum '99 Report and Statistics