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It is proposed to alter the Constitution so as to provide for retiring ages for judges of federal courts. Do you approve of the proposed law? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Constitution Alteration (Retirement of Judges) Bill 1977 was a successful proposal to alter the Australian Constitution to introduce a retirement age of 70 for federal judges. [1] It was put to voters for approval in a referendum held on 21 May 1977. After being approved in the referendum, it received the royal assent and became law on 29 July 1977. [2]
As of 2023 it is the most recent referendum in Australia that has led to the successful modification of the Constitution.
It is proposed to alter the Constitution so as to provide for retiring ages for judges of federal courts.
Do you approve the proposed law?
The proposal was to add the following paragraphs at the end of section 72.
State | Electoral roll | Ballots issued | For | Against | Informal | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vote | % | Vote | % | |||||
New South Wales | 3,007,511 | 2,774,388 | 2,316,999 | 84.84 | 414,070 | 15.16 | 43,319 | |
Victoria | 2,252,831 | 2,083,136 | 1,659,273 | 81.43 | 378,505 | 18.57 | 45,358 | |
Queensland | 1,241,426 | 1,138,842 | 734,183 | 65.24 | 391,227 | 34.76 | 13,432 | |
South Australia | 799,243 | 745,990 | 622,760 | 85.57 | 104,987 | 14.43 | 18,243 | |
Western Australia | 682,291 | 617,463 | 472,228 | 78.37 | 130,307 | 21.63 | 14,928 | |
Tasmania | 259,081 | 246,063 | 174,951 | 72.46 | 66,478 | 27.54 | 4,634 | |
Total for Commonwealth | 8,242,383 | 7,605,882 | 5,980,394 | 80.10 | 1,485,574 | 19.90 | 139,914 | |
Results | Obtained majority in all six States and an overall majority of 4,494,820 votes.Carried |
In October 1976 the Senate Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs recommended a retiring age for all federal judges. This recommendation was based on
The committee's view was accepted by the Australian Constitutional Convention soon thereafter.
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