1911 Australian referendum (Monopolies)

The 1911 Australian referendum (Monopolies) was a failed attempt by the Australian Labor Party government, led by Prime Minister Andrew Fisher, to expand the Commonwealth Parliament's powers over monopolies. Held on April 26, 1911, it was one of two referendums held simultaneously, the other concerning trade and commerce.

The proposed amendment to the Australian Constitution sought to insert a new section (51(xx)) empowering the Commonwealth Parliament to make laws with respect to "monopolies." The intention was to allow the Commonwealth to break up existing monopolies deemed detrimental to the public interest and to prevent the formation of new ones. The Fisher government believed that powerful private monopolies were exploiting consumers and hindering economic growth, and that greater Commonwealth power was necessary to regulate them effectively.

The proposal faced significant opposition from the conservative Liberal Party, led by Alfred Deakin, and various business interests. Opponents argued that the proposed power was too broad and could be used to nationalize industries or unfairly target legitimate businesses. They also raised concerns about the potential for excessive government interference in the economy.

The result of the referendum was a decisive defeat for the government's proposal. The "Yes" vote failed to achieve a majority in any state, and the national vote was also overwhelmingly against the amendment. The defeat was attributed to a combination of factors, including strong opposition campaigning, public skepticism about expanding Commonwealth power, and concerns about the potential consequences of the proposed amendment. The failure of the 1911 referendum (Monopolies) marked a setback for the Labor government's agenda of expanding Commonwealth powers and regulating the economy. It also highlighted the ongoing debate in Australia about the appropriate balance between government intervention and private enterprise.