Skip to content

1978 Referendum

Tuesday, February 08th 2011 EST

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)
 
Revision: 1 Print as PDF

Current MLA's

List of current Members of the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Links

Selection of links to other Agencies.

Education Resources

Designed for
use by school students and teachers.

Election FAQs

Frequently asked questions.