Referendums concerning the independence of judges and four-year parliamentary terms were put to
New South Wales
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, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
voters on 25 March 1995. The referendums coincided with that year's
New South Wales general election. Both changes had the support of the major political parties and were approved by large majorities.
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Independence of judges
Voters were asked to strengthen protections of the political independence of judges and magistrates. The text of the question was "Do you approve of the Bill entitled: A Bill for an Act to prevent Parliament from changing laws about the independence of judges and magistrates without a referendum?"
Four-year terms
Voters were asked to fix parliamentary terms at four years. Until then, while the maximum term was four years, premiers would call early elections if the political situation seemed more favourable than it might at the end of the term. This practice was a source of irritation for voters and opposition parties alike. The
Fahey coalition government inherited the fixed four-year terms proposal. Fahey's predecessor,
Nick Greiner
Nicholas Frank Hugo Greiner (;) (born 27 April 1947) is an Australian politician who served as the 37th Premier of New South Wales from 1988 to 1992. Greiner was Leader of the New South Wales Division of the Liberal Party from 1983 to 1992 an ...
, had promised a referendum on the subject, among other things, to three independents in order to keep office in 1991.
The text of the question was "Do you approve of the Bill entitled: A Bill for an Act to require the Parliament of New South Wales to serve full 4-year terms and to prevent politicians calling early general elections or changing these new constitutional rules without a further referendum?"
Results
Both changes were approved by a large majority.
See also
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Referendums in New South Wales
There have been 18 referendums in New South Wales, 8 of which concerned proposals to amend the New South Wales Constitution, half of which concerned the Legislative Council. While the Constitution of Australia was adopted after the 1898 and 18 ...
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Referendums in Australia
Referendums have been held in Australia to approve parliament-proposed changes to the Constitution of Australia or to the constitutions of states and territories.
Polls conducted on non-constitutional issues are sometimes but not always referre ...
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1995 New South Wales state election
Elections to the 51st Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday 25 March 1995. All seats in the Legislative Assembly and half the seats in the Legislative Council were up for election. The minority Liberal Party-led Coalition governm ...
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Government of New South Wales
The Government of New South Wales, also known as the NSW Government, is the Australian state democratic administrative authority of New South Wales. It is currently held by a coalition of the Liberal Party and the National Party. The Governmen ...
Notes
References
New South Wales Electoral Commission:25 March 1995
{{New South Wales elections, state=autocollapse
New South Wales referendums
New South Wales referendums
Referendums in New South Wales
Referendums
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...
New South Wales referendums