1978 Referendum

On 25 November 1978 voters were asked, at a referendum, whether the ACT should be granted self-government.

Overview

This referendum was held on its own on 25 November 1978. Electors were given a choice of three proposals:

• That self-government be granted to the Australian Capital Territory by delegating functions to a locally elected legislative body in the stages set out in the statement, published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 October 1978, for the purposes of sub-section 43(1) of the Referendum (Self-government) Ordinance 1978.
• That a locally elected legislative body be established in the Australian Capital Territory with local government-type legislative and executive functions.
• That the present arrangements for governing the Australian Capital Territory should continue for the time being.

The results of the referendum showed that 63.75%, a majority, of the electors casting a valid vote at the referendum voted in favour of continuing with the present arrangements.

Statistics

Self Government		Local Government		Present Arrangements		Formal		Informal		Total
Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes
33480	30.54	6268	5.72	69893	63.75	109641	98.31	1888	1.69	111529
(percentages are of formal votes)						(percentages are of total votes)