The New State referendum was held in north-eastern New South Wales, Australia, on 29 April 1967, under the provisions of the New State Referendum Act 1966. The proposed state's boundaries were based on the findings of the 1935 Nicholas Royal Commission; only voters in this area took part. The vote marked the culmination of a decades-long campaign for a new state in the New England and Northern Rivers districts, but was ultimately defeated.
Background
Key dates Writs were issued on 31 March 1967. Polling took place on 29 April and the writ was returned on 29 May.
Prescribed area The New State Referendum Act identified a "prescribed area" in which the vote would be held. This included the electoral districts of Armidale, Barwon, Byron, Cessnock, Clarence, Gloucester, Hamilton, Kahibah, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Maitland, Newcastle, Oxley, Raleigh, Tamworth, Tenterfield, Upper Hunter, Wallsend and Waratah. It also included the subdivisions of Gunnedah, Merriwa and Spring Ridge in Burrendong, and Baradine and Coonabarabran in Castlereagh. The question Are you in favour of the establishment of a new state in north-east New South Wales as described in Schedule 1 to the New State Referendum Act, 1966?
Results The 'Yes' case enjoyed strong support across the New England and Northern Rivers districts, but faced overwhelming opposition in metropolitan Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and the Mid-North Coast. +Results of 1967 New State referendumDistrictResultYesNoInformalYesNoTurnoutArmidale 10,2576,65586860.65%39.35%91.99%Barwon 12,1496,01584366.89%33.11%89.35%Burrendong (part) 4,5702,47433964.88%35.12%92.94%Byron 13,2056,5331,07266.90%33.10%93.22%Castlereagh (part) 1,7191,52824252.94%47.06%85.26%Cessnock 4,62714,2991,36224.45%75.55%94.26%Clarence 13,2396,69887366.40%33.60%93.69%Gloucester 4,72512,2351,01227.86%72.14%91.79%Hamilton 5,30513,9451,30327.56%72.44%92.18%Kahibah 6,23314,0981,32030.66%69.34%93.38%Lake Macquarie 5,78412,9811,44430.82%69.18%92.66%Lismore 13,3355,28673571.61%28.39%92.91%Maitland 5,15914,4701,27426.28%73.72%94.11%Newcastle 5,34314,1671,14227.39%72.61%91.17%Oxley 8,29710,6091,22943.89%56.11%92.28%Raleigh 14,9655,40495673.47%26.53%92.57%Tamworth 10,1387,40784257.78%42.22%93.67%Tenterfield 11,2204,65759170.67%29.33%92.18%Upper Hunter 6,88411,06179538.36%61.64%92.22%Wallsend 5,42313,5751,48528.55%71.45%93.87%Waratah 5,52614,7151,46727.30%72.70%93.13%Total 168,103198,81221,19445.82%54.18%92.59%
See also Referendums in New South Wales Referendums in Australia Northern Territory statehood referendum
References
External links
New State Referendum Act 1966 (NSW)