1967 referendum

• Significance of 1967 Referendum

  1. Native Title Act 1993

  This law specifically recognised the rights of First Nations people to ownership of land. This law could not have been passed prior to 1967, as the Commonwealth had lacked the law-making power to make laws regarding Indigenous people. 

  • This impact was significant because Indigenous people gained the right to make claims to land they claimed rightfully belong to them 
• REASONS FOR CHANGING SECTION 51(xxvi)

  • For example, in 1905, Western Australia passed the Aborigines Act, establishing a Chief Protector to serve as the legal guardian of Aboriginal or ‘half -caste’ children under the age of 16. This was followed by all other states, therebying controlling nearly every aspect of Aboriginal life.