1977 Australian plebiscite (National Song)

Australian National Song Poll
11 May 1977
Turnout7,069,046 (89.06%)
Candidate "Advance Australia Fair" "Waltzing Matilda" "God Save The Queen"
First preferences 43.29% 28.28% 18.78%
Two-song preferred 65.23% 34.77% –
Candidate "Song of Australia"
First preferences 9.65%
Two-song preferred –
Map of results by state. Blue indicates a state voted for Advance Australia Fair, yellow for Song of Australia, and red for Waltzing Matilda

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". Technically, the vote concerned only the tune to be used, with new lyrics potentially chosen at a later date. Voting on this question was not compulsory. This was the third national plebiscite to be held in Australia, following two regarding conscription in 1916 and 1917.

"Advance Australia Fair", was the winner, however it was not legally declared to be the national song. Subsequently, in 1984 the song was declared the national anthem with lyrics significantly modified from the original.

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