Australian referendum, 1951

1951 Australian referendum 22 September 1951
Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Powers to deal with Communists and Communism) 1951'?
Results Votes  % Yes 2,317,927 7001494400000000000♠49.44% No 2,370,009 7001505600000000000♠50.56% Valid votes 4,687,936 7001986000000000000♠98.60% Invalid or blank votes 66,653 7000140000000099999♠1.4% Total votes 4,754,589 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 4,974,337 7001955800000000000♠95.58%
Results by state   Yes     No
Note: Saturation of colour denotes strength of vote

The 1951 Australian Referendum was held on 22 September, 1951, and sought approval for the federal government to ban the Communist Party of Australia. It was not carried.

In 1951, the Menzies government passed a law banning the Communist Party of Australia. The party challenged the law in the High Court, which ruled that it was constitutionally invalid. Following this defeat, the government sponsored this referendum in an attempt to overcome this constitutional obstacle. The referendum question was opposed, not surprisingly, by the Communist Party. It was also opposed by the Australian Labor Party and even the Young Liberals, on the grounds that it would restrict freedoms of speech and association.

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Powers to deal with Communists and Communism) 1951'?

rolls

issued

* Armed forces totals are also included in their respective states.

Source: Australian Parliament - Referendum results.

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