Context: The 1967 referendum was a significant milestone in the fight for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights in Australia. It was the result of decades of advocacy and demonstrations by civil rights movements, including the Freedom Ride in 1965, which highlighted the marginalization and discrimination faced by Aboriginal people in regional New South Wales. Australia’s early adherence to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and its subsequent pressure to address indigenous rights issues were also crucial factors leading up to the referendum.
Effects: The referendum successfully amended the Australian Constitution to allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and to include Aboriginal people in the national census. This was a significant step towards recognizing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander …show more content…
This meant that the basic unfair treatment of Aboriginal people wasn't resolved. The referendum made the Australian public seem less racist on the surface, but it failed to address the main issues that Aboriginal Australians faced to begin with as the bill only led to political changes and did not affect the attitudes of the public.
Evidence: Despite the constitutional changes, issues such as inequalities in land rights, access to health services, and educational disparities remain almost unaffected following the referendum and continue to be in some respects, although not as severe. The referendum did not lead to any societal changes that would solve the deep-rooted discrimination and exclusion faced by Aboriginal people, showing the need for more action and new laws to resolve issues
Effects: The referendum successfully amended the Australian Constitution to allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and to include Aboriginal people in the national census. This was a significant step towards recognizing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander …show more content…
This meant that the basic unfair treatment of Aboriginal people wasn't resolved. The referendum made the Australian public seem less racist on the surface, but it failed to address the main issues that Aboriginal Australians faced to begin with as the bill only led to political changes and did not affect the attitudes of the public.
Evidence: Despite the constitutional changes, issues such as inequalities in land rights, access to health services, and educational disparities remain almost unaffected following the referendum and continue to be in some respects, although not as severe. The referendum did not lead to any societal changes that would solve the deep-rooted discrimination and exclusion faced by Aboriginal people, showing the need for more action and new laws to resolve issues