Republic Referendum
Australia Keeps Its Monarchy
Australia decided to remain a constitutional monarchy after the vote for a republic in a referendum on November 6, 1999, failed.
It is believed the people wanted a republic but also wanted a direct vote for the President. The Yes proposition contained the proviso that the Australian head of state would be elected by Parliament.
The Yes vote failed to gain a majority in five of the six Australian states. Only Victoria voted Yes with an extremely slim 50.1 per cent majority.
To win, the Yes vote had to have a majority of the states and a majority nationwide.
Queen of Australia
Australia has been a constitutional monarchy since its founding, and Queen Elizabeth II of England is the reigning Queen of Australia.
If the Yes vote had succeeded, Australia would have moved towards having its head of state — a President — selected by Parliament from a list of candidates chosen by the people.
The referendum also decided against having a preamble to the Australian Constitution.
Next page: Why the Yes Vote Failed
