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
and federal financial planning.
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
legal jargon. (Irving, 2016) Many of the citizens believed that the amendment would give Aboriginal people citizenship rights or the right to be counted in the census. (Treaty Republic, 2015). Unfortunately, this was not the case, and it was only in later legislations and decisions where these types of rights were granted to the first Australians. Regardless of whether the people knew the exact consequences of their vote, the referendum is still an example of the overwhelming support for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by the citizens of Australia. It also represents the influence of the campaigning, and the fact that Indigenous people for the first time had a voice, and were able to make an impact of the dominant white culture of the time. (McGuinness, 1967). Which, exemplifies how the 1967 referendum was meaningful to both the non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians.

One of the alterations made to the constitution in 1967, was to section 127, ‘Aborigines not to be counted in reckoning population'. Section 127 states ‘In reckoning the numbers of the people of the Commonwealth, or of a State or other part of the Commonwealth, aboriginal natives shall not be counted.' (Documenting Democracy, 2016). This section didn't refer to population counts, aboriginal Australians have always been counted as part of the overall population of Australia; section 127, meant that Aboriginal people were not counted in the parliament's official calculations of financial entitlements and obligations. (Irving, 2016).This means that the Australian government, didn't have to set aside money for Indigenous Australians, it also meant that they had no financial obligations to them. The repeal of this section in 1967, didn't immediately appear to be a major success, however in the overall fight for Indigenous and non-Indigenous equality, it meant that the government had to admit, that it had financial entitlements and obligations to all people of Australia. (Parliamentary Education Office, 2016). Which is why the referendum itself was significant as it helped lay the foundation to which equality for Indigenous and their non-Indigenous counterparts can be formed.

The changing of the constitution was in itself a milestone in the fight for aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, as it sparked great debate as to what the original owners of Australia deserved. This, in turn, led to a social reform, of Australian society. (VCAA, 2016). Once the mentality started to change, the Indigenous people started to see many other rights, both political and civil, as a result of this reform. Indigenous today reserve the right to practice their spirituality, the right to land, the right to vote and many other freedoms. (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2016). The 1967 referendum may not have a direct relation to the establishment of these rights, but there is definitely a correlation, even if it is only due to the awakening and demonstration of public support. There was even talk of another referendum in 2015, which would legally recognise the aboriginal people, which demonstrates the legacy of the 1967 referendum. (ABC NEWS, 2015). The referendum, which led to the social reform, which we are still experiencing today, lead to the establishment of many rights and freedoms for the first Australia's. Thus bettering the overall quality of life, experienced by the Indigenous Australians.

In the fight for the betterment of the lives of the original Australians, the 1967 referendum was a significant milestone. It exemplified and demonstrated the Australian people's support for the idea of equality for all Australians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. It also repealed section 127 of the constitution which allowed indigenous people to be counted in the consideration of future financial planning for the states. The referendum helped initiate a social reform, which led to the establishment of many rights and freedoms for both aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Hence its significance in the ongoing fight for indigenous reconciliation and equality is abundantly clear; as if it didn't hold importance to the people of Australia it wouldn't still be impacting the decisions made today.