1995 New South Wales referendums

Referendum on fixed terms of parliament and judicial independence October 2021 October 2021 50px 1995 New South Wales referendum Independence of judges Full 4 year terms Yes 65.9% 75.5% No 34.1% 24.5% Referendums concerning the independence of judges and four-year parliamentary terms were put to New South Wales 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. As of 2026, this is the most recent New South Wales state referendum. __TOC__ 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, 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. + ResultReferendum 25 March 1995 http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/results/referendums_and_polls/state/25_march_1995 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110218191601/http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/results/referendums_and_polls/state/25_march_1995 2011-02-18 NSW Electoral Commissionhttps://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231959790 Result of referendums 60 20 June 1991 2021-10-11 2672 Trove Question Votes % Independence of judges Yes 2,225,166 green 65.90 No 1,151,255 34.10 Total Formal 3,376,421 93.81 Informal 222,720  6.19 Full four year terms Yes 2,449,796 green 75.48 No 795,706 24.52 Total Formal 3,245,502 90.17 Informal 353,639  9.83 TurnoutTurnout Estimate based on a roll of 3,837,102: 1995 election totals 1995 Totals 2021-10-10 3,599,141 93.80 See also Referendums in New South Wales Referendums in Australia 1995 New South Wales state election Government of New South Wales Notes References New South Wales Electoral Commission: 25 March 1995 autocollapse New South Wales referendums New South Wales referendums Category:Referendums in New South Wales Referendums New South Wales referendums