What question triggered the first referendum?
The first Australian referendum was held on 12 December 1906 in conjunction with a federal election. The referendum sought to make a minor and uncontentious amendment to the Australian Constitution by changing the date on which senators took office from 1 January to 1 July, making it more likely that their terms would coincide with that of members of the House of Representatives. The people of Australia voted ‘yes’ and the question was agreed. A total of 44 questions have been put to referendum and this is one of the eight that passed.