The bill sought to alter the Australian Constitution to extend the Commonwealth power in respect of trade and commerce, the control of corporations, labour and employment and combinations and monopolies.

The proposal was to alter the text of section 51 of the Constitution to read as follows:[2] 51.

The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have Legislative power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to: The referendum was not approved by a majority of voters, and a majority of the voters was achieved in only one state, Western Australia.

[3][4] This was the first of many times that similar questions were asked at a referendum.

On every occasion the public decided not to vest power in the Commonwealth over these matters.