If a referendum is held and the result is a tie, does the Governor-General have a casting vote?
No, the Governor-General does not have a casting vote in a referendum.
A referendum is a vote by the Australian people to change the Australian Constitution. A referendum will only be successful if it is supported by a majority of voters in a majority of states, and by a majority of voters across the nation as a whole – a double majority. In the unlikely event that a referendum result is an exact tie, it would be unsuccessful.
Double majority
Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
Double majority
Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
Description
The Australian Constitution can only be changed with the support of the majority of Australian voters and the majority of voters in the majority of states (i.e. at least 4 states).
A referendum is passed when:
- a majority – more than half – of voters from all around Australia vote YES
- a majority – more than half – of voters in at least 4 states* vote YES.
*Votes from the ACT, NT and other territories are counted in the national majority only.
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