# 1977 Australian plebiscite (National Song)

As an additional question in the 1977 referendum, voters were polled on which tune they would prefer to be used as the "national song", to be used alongside the then national anthem, "God Save the Queen". Voting on this question was not compulsory. This was the third plebiscite to be held in Australia, following two regarding military service in 1916 and 1917.
"Advance Australia Fair", was the winner, however the anthem was not given official status. Subsequently, in 1984 the song was declared the national anthem with lyrics significantly modified from the original.

## Background

Prior to 1974, "God Save the Queen" was Australia's national anthem. In 1974, the Whitlam government performed a nationwide opinion survey, conducted through the Australian Bureau of Statistics, to determine the song to be sung on occasions of national significance. "Advance Australia Fair" was chosen and announced as the new national anthem, to be used on all occasions excepting those of a specifically regal nature.
On 22 January 1976 the Fraser government reinstated "God Save the Queen" as the national anthem for use at royal and vice-regal events, but otherwise provided a choice between "God Save the Queen", "Advance Australia Fair", "Song of Australia" or "Waltzing Matilda" for civilian functions. His government made plans to conduct a national poll to find a song for use on ceremonial occasions when it was desired to mark a separate Australian identity, whilst maintaining "God Save The Queen" as the national anthem. The plebiscite was an optional additional question in the 1977 referendum on various issues. Despite both Fraser and Whitlam advocating a vote for "Waltzing Matilda", "Advance Australia Fair" was the winner with 43.29% of the vote, defeating the three alternatives, "Waltzing Matilda" (28.28%), "The Song of Australia" (9.65%) and the existing national anthem, "God Save the Queen" (18.78%).

## Results

Voters were presented with the following choice: Against the background that 'GOD SAVE THE QUEEN' is the NATIONAL ANTHEM to be played on Regal and Vice Regal occasions, electors may indicate their preferences as to which of the tunes of the songs listed below they would prefer to be played on other occasions.
Result :
| State | Electoral roll | Ballots issued | "God Save the Queen" | "God Save the Queen" | "Advance Australia Fair" | "Advance Australia Fair" | "The Song of Australia" | "The Song of Australia" | "Waltzing Matilda" | "Waltzing Matilda" | Informal |
| State | Electoral roll | Ballots issued | Vote | % | Vote | % | Vote | % | Vote | % | Informal |
| New South Wales | 3,007,511 | 2,537,805 | 348,885 | 15.32 | 1,169,421 | 51.35 | 121,456 | 5.33 | 637,795 | 28.00 | 260,248 |
| Victoria | 2,252,831 | 1,951,160 | 352,603 | 20.68 | 683,451 | 40.09 | 110,591 | 6.49 | 557,991 | 32.73 | 246,524 |
| Queensland | 1,241,426 | 1,056,804 | 204,453 | 21.38 | 438,929 | 45.90 | 61,234 | 6.40 | 251,609 | 26.31 | 100,579 |
| South Australia | 799,243 | 706,392 | 114,477 | 18.07 | 152,507 | 24.07 | 215,085 | 33.95 | 151,434 | 23.90 | 72,889 |
| Western Australia | 682,291 | 487,879 | 113,054 | 23.17 | 183,159 | 37.54 | 75,524 | 15.48 | 116,142 | 23.81 | 68,394 |
| Tasmania | 259,081 | 253,525 | 47,346 | 22.38 | 88,825 | 41.98 | 21,091 | 9.97 | 54,329 | 25.68 | 23,934 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 120,875 | 22,136 | 1,448 | 6.65 | 7,857 | 36.11 | 1,863 | 8.56 | 10,593 | 48.68 | 375 |
| Northern Territory | 38,209 | 2,951 | 423 | 14.93 | 1,143 | 40.35 | 413 | 14.58 | 854 | 30.14 | 118 |
| Total for Commonwealth | 8,401,467 | 7,069,046 | 1,182,689 | 18.78 | 2,725,292 | 43.29 | 607,257 | 9.65 | 1,780,747 | 28.28 | 773,061 |