1967: Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People
Why was the 1967 referendum significant in the fight for aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?
The Australian Referendum of 1967, called by Prime Minister Harold Holt, led to important and influential decisions and legislations; which ultimately bettered the lives of the first Australians. Although the amendments made to the constitution, were minimal and overall didn't immediately amount to much, it was significant in the progression of the mentality of Australian society. One of the most obvious reasons as to why the referendum still resonates with the people today is that it was the first example of national support for Indigenous Australians. It was also the first time Indigenous Australians were counted, in accordance with state …show more content…
It was the beginning of a social reform and was also the gateway to new rights being gained by the original owners.
The referendum of 1967, is still today the most supported and successful referendum in Australia's history. The Australian Constitution is notorious for being difficult to alter, yet when this change was proposed to the public, 90.77% of Australians voted ‘yes' to amending section 127 and section 51(xxvi) of the constitution, in favour of the Indigenous people. (Ergo, 2016). However it has been suggested that the people didn't necessarily understand what they were voting for in 1967, as the question posed to them, ("An Act to alter the Constitution so as to omit certain words relating to the people of the Aboriginal race in any state and so that Aboriginals are to be counted in reckoning the population?"), was worded in complex
The Australian Referendum of 1967, called by Prime Minister Harold Holt, led to important and influential decisions and legislations; which ultimately bettered the lives of the first Australians. Although the amendments made to the constitution, were minimal and overall didn't immediately amount to much, it was significant in the progression of the mentality of Australian society. One of the most obvious reasons as to why the referendum still resonates with the people today is that it was the first example of national support for Indigenous Australians. It was also the first time Indigenous Australians were counted, in accordance with state …show more content…
It was the beginning of a social reform and was also the gateway to new rights being gained by the original owners.
The referendum of 1967, is still today the most supported and successful referendum in Australia's history. The Australian Constitution is notorious for being difficult to alter, yet when this change was proposed to the public, 90.77% of Australians voted ‘yes' to amending section 127 and section 51(xxvi) of the constitution, in favour of the Indigenous people. (Ergo, 2016). However it has been suggested that the people didn't necessarily understand what they were voting for in 1967, as the question posed to them, ("An Act to alter the Constitution so as to omit certain words relating to the people of the Aboriginal race in any state and so that Aboriginals are to be counted in reckoning the population?"), was worded in complex