What did the 1967 Referendum change for Indigenous Australians?
On 27 May 1967, Australians voted to change the Constitution so that like all other Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples would be counted as part of the population and the Commonwealth would be able to make laws for them.
What did the 1967 Referendum do?
Saturday 27th of May marks the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum in which Australians voted overwhelmingly to amend the Constitution to allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and include them in the census.
What was the outcome of the 1967 Referendum in Australia?
90.77% of voters voted in favour of the ‘Constitution Alteration (Aboriginals) 1967’, which was the highest ‘yes’ vote ever recorded in a federal referendum.
What was the 1967 Referendum question?
Voters were asked whether to give the Federal Government the power to make special laws for Indigenous Australians in states, and whether in population counts for constitutional purposes to include all Indigenous Australians. The term “the Aboriginal Race” was used in the question.
How did the referendum affect Australia?
What was the impact? Many Indigenous people regard the 1967 Referendum as a symbolic turning point, revealing a widespread desire for Indigenous equality in Australia. It enabled the federal government to pass the (Northern Territory) Land Rights Act, which has benefited many Indigenous Australians.
When did indigenous get the right to vote?
1962
Voting rights for Indigenous people enacted The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1962 received assent on 21 May 1962. It granted all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the option to enrol and vote in federal elections.
Who started the 1967 referendum?
1967—Prime Minister Harold Holt announces that the Constitution Alteration Bill has passed in both Houses of Parliament allowing for a referendum to be called on whether or not Australia should change the wording of the constitution.
What is the process of a referendum in Australia?
In Australia, a referendum is a vote used to approve a change to the Australian Constitution. If the bill is passed by the Parliament, the proposal must then be presented to Australian voters in a referendum. The referendum must take place between 2 and 6 months after the bill is passed.
What did the 1967 referendum do for Indigenous Australians?
The 1967 Referendum was a landmark achievement for Indigenous Australians. Following decades of Indigenous and non-Indigenous activism, over 90% of all Australians voted in favour of amending two sections of the Australian Constitution:
Are there any references to Aboriginal Australians in the Australian Constitution?
The only references to Aboriginal Australians in the Australian Constitution were negative. Section 51 (xxvi) stated that:
How many referendums have there been in Australia since 1901?
Since 1901, 19 referendums have proposed 44 changes to the Constitution; only eight changes have been agreed to. Before a referendum can take place, the proposed changes must be approved by the Parliament and put to the Australian voting public.
What is a referendum and why is it important?
Referendums are the only way that you can change the Australian Constitution. The 1967 Referendum sought to change two sections of the Constitution in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 90.77 per cent of Australian voters voted ‘Yes’ to the changes.