Australian referendum, 1988 (Parliamentary Terms)

Constitution Alteration (Parliamentary Terms) 1988 was a proposal put to referendum in the Australian referendum, 1988. It proposed to alter the Australian constitution such that Senate terms be reduced from six to four years, and House of Representative terms be increased from three years to four years. It also proposed for the fourth time that Senate and House elections occur simultaneously.

Results

A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to provide for 4 year maximum terms for members of both Houses of the Commonwealth Parliament.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

State	On rolls	Ballots issued	Yes	%	No	%	Informal
New South Wales	3,564,856	3,297,246	1,032,621	31.66%	2,228,503	68.34%	36,122
Victoria	2,697,096	2,491,183	886,128	36.20%	1,561,759	63.80%	43,296
Queensland	1,693,247	1,542,293	538,779	35.15%	993,822	64.85%	9,692
South Australia	937,974	873,511	229,938	26.76%	629,454	73.24%	14,119
Western Australia	926,636	845,209	255,556	30.67%	577,555	69.33%	12,098
Tasmania	302,324	282,785	70,698	25.34%	208,297	74.66%	3,790
Australian Capital Territory	166,131	149,128	64,458	43.62%	83,328	56.38%	1,342
Northern Territory	74,695	56,370	21,092	38.13%	34,222	61.87%	1,056
Total for Commonwealth	10,362,959	9,537,725	3,099,270	32.91%	6,316,940	67.09%	121,515

Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 3 217 670 votes. Not carried.

See also