1981 New South Wales referendum


The 1981 New South Wales referendum was held on 19 September 1981, the same day as the state election. The referendum contained two questions:

  1. Do you approve a Bill for an Act to extend the maximum period between general elections for the Legislative Assembly from 3 years to 4 years?
  2. Do you approve a Bill for an Act to require Members of Parliament to disclose certain pecuniary interests and other matters?

Amendments to the constitution

The primary change by the proposal to extend the maximum term was to alter section 7B of the Constitution Act 1902 to provide for a maximum term of 4 years rather than 3.
The proposal to require Members of Parliament to disclose pecuniary interests was to add section 14A to the Constitution Act 1902 which provided that
Both questions were approved with large majorities.