Perth Voice Interactive

THIS week marks the 100th anniversary of Western Australia’s first—and nearly decisive—prohibition referendum, a moment in the state’s history that few today remember. 

On April 4, 1925, Western Australians went to the polls to determine whether the state should ban alcohol, following a global trend that had already taken hold in the United States and parts of Canada. 

While the referendum ultimately failed, the fact that the state came close to outlawing liquor remains a surprising footnote in Western Australian history.

The lead-up to the vote was a time of fierce debate, with the temperance movement—led by church groups, social reformers, and the influential Women’s Christian Temperance Union—arguing that alcohol was the root cause of social decay. 

They pointed to rising crime, domestic violence, and workplace accidents, blaming the excessive consumption of liquor.

On the other side, publicans, brewers, and many working-class communities pushed back, arguing that moderate drinking was a personal freedom that should not be legislated out of existence.

The referendum required a 60 per cent majority to pass but fell short, with just over 56 per cent of voters supporting prohibition.

While the result meant that Western Australia would not follow in the footsteps of the United States, where nationwide prohibition had led to an era of bootlegging and organised crime, it did lead to stricter liquor laws in the state.

Some areas introduced local bans, and tighter regulations on alcohol sales were implemented in an attempt to curb the perceived social ills associated with drinking.

Despite its failure, the 1925 referendum was a turning point in Western Australia’s liquor laws.

The debate around prohibition highlighted broader concerns about public health, morality, and individual freedoms—issues that remain relevant in discussions about alcohol regulation today. 

Some historians argue that had the vote swung just a few percentage points further, Western Australia’s drinking culture might look vastly different today.

In Fremantle, where the working-class population had strong ties to the local brewing industry, opposition to prohibition was particularly strong. 

The historic pubs that still stand today—such as the Norfolk Hotel and the National Hotel—would likely have faced closure had the referendum passed.

As the state marks the centenary of this near-miss with prohibition, some are taking the opportunity to reflect on how far Western Australia has come in its relationship with alcohol. 

While today’s debates focus more on responsible service, health impacts, and the rise of boutique breweries, the echoes of 1925 still linger in modern liquor laws and attitudes.

One hundred years on, Western Australians can raise a glass to the fact that the vote didn’t quite tip over the edge—but the story remains a reminder of a time when the state came closer than many realise to a dry future.