Tasmania has participated in each of the 45 national referendums that have occurred since Federation. Although it lacks mandatory referendum rules at the state level, it has (so far) held three referendums of its own.
The first one, which took place in 1916, allowed voters to choose when hotels and bars should close. The options ranged from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. Six o’clock was adopted after receiving a majority (42 per cent) of the vote.
Fast forward to 1968, when the second state referendum was held. Tasmanian voters were asked if a casino license should be granted to the Federal Group, which wanted to operate the Wrest Point Hotel. The referendum narrowly passed with 53 per cent of the formal vote.
The third state referendum – concerning the location of a hydro-electric dam on the Gordon River – was held in 1981. The state government gave voters two choices: they could either vote for the Gordon River above where it meets the Olga River or the Gordon River below where it meets the Franklin River. Approximately 54 per cent of Tasmanians voted in favour of the second option, while 9.78 per cent voted for the first option. Some 35 per cent of people cast informal votes, writing ‘No dams’ on their ballot papers. After much controversy and debate, it was decided that the dam should not be built at all.
Bibliography
- ‘Referendums’ (Companion to Tasmanian History)
- ‘Referendums rejected in Tasmania’ (Daily Herald)
- ‘Tasmania and the Referendums’ (Advocate)
- ‘Referendums wanted’ (Daily Standard)
- Tasmanian Parliament
- ‘Only eight of Australia’s 44 referendums were a Yes. Here’s what they were’ (SBS News)
- ‘How past referendums could give us insights into the Voice vote’ (The Sydney Morning Herald)
Callum J. Jones studied English, History, and Journalism at the University of Tasmania. He has written fiction and non-fiction for Tasmanian Times since 2018, and can be traced by the smell of fresh coffee.
Follow him on Twitter (@Callum_Jones_10) and Facebook (@callum.j.jones.creative).
