As an additional question in the 1977 referendum, voters were polled on which tune they would prefer to be used as the "national song", to be used alongside the then national anthem, "God Save the Queen". Technically, the vote concerned only the tune to be used, with new lyrics potentially chosen at a later date. Voting on this question was not compulsory. This was the third national plebiscite to be held in Australia, following two regarding conscription in 1916 and 1917.Electoral Pocketbook (includes 2004 federal election results) (June 2005) Media and Communication Section. Australian Electoral Commission. Kingston, ACT.
"Advance Australia Fair", was the winner, however it was not legally declared to be the national song. Subsequently, in 1984 the song was declared the national anthem with lyrics significantly modified from the original.
Background Prior to 1974, "God Save the Queen" was Australia's national anthem. In 1974, the Whitlam government performed a nationwide opinion survey, conducted through the Australian Bureau of Statistics, to determine the song to be sung on occasions of national significance. "Advance Australia Fair" was chosen and announced as the new national anthem, to be used on all occasions excepting those of a specifically regal nature.
On 22 January 1976 the Fraser government reinstated "God Save the Queen" as the national anthem for use at royal and vice-regal events, but otherwise provided a choice between "God Save the Queen", "Advance Australia Fair", "Song of Australia" or "Waltzing Matilda" for civilian functions. His government made plans to conduct a national poll to find a song for use on ceremonial occasions when it was desired to mark a separate Australian identity, whilst maintaining "God Save The Queen" as the national anthem. The plebiscite was an optional additional question in the 1977 referendum on various issues. Despite both Fraser and Whitlam advocating a vote for "Waltzing Matilda", "Advance Australia Fair" was the winner with 43.29% of the vote, defeating the three alternatives, "Waltzing Matilda" (28.28%), "The Song of Australia" (9.65%) and the existing national anthem, "God Save the Queen" (18.78%). After the distribution of preferences, "Advance Australia Fair" was preferred by 65.23% over "Waltzing Matilda" at 34.77%.
Results Voters were presented with the following question:
+ Result State Electoral roll Ballots issued "God Save the Queen" "Advance Australia Fair" "The Song of Australia" "Waltzing Matilda" Informal Vote % Vote % Vote % Vote %Vote % New South Wales 3,007,511 2,537,805 348,885 15.32 1,169,421 121,456 5.33 637,795 28.00 260,24811.43 Victoria 2,252,831 1,951,160 352,603 20.68 683,451 110,591 6.49 557,991 32.73 246,52414.46 Queensland 1,241,426 1,056,804 204,453 21.38 438,929 61,234 6.40 251,609 26.31 100,57910.52 South Australia 799,243 706,392 114,477 18.07 152,507 24.07 215,085 151,434 23.90 72,88911.51 Western Australia 682,291 487,879 113,054 23.17 183,159 75,524 15.48 116,142 23.81 68,39414.02 Tasmania 259,081 253,525 47,346 22.38 88,825 21,091 9.97 54,329 25.68 23,93411.31 Australian Capital Territory 120,875 22,136 1,448 6.65 7,857 36.11 1,863 8.56 10,593 3751.72 Northern Territory 38,209 2,951 423 14.93 1,143 413 14.58 854 30.14 1184.17 Total for Commonwealth 8,401,467 7,069,046 1,182,689 18.78 2,725,292 607,257 9.65 1,780,747 28.28 773,06112.28Two-song preferred4,415,642 2,353,617
See also Referendums in Australia
References