1967 and 2023 referendums & significance

Question 1

1967 referendum contents

Answer 1

A referendum on whether to change the Aus Constitution in relation to Aboriginal people (abolishing sections relating to them not being included in the census and Cth not being allowed to pass laws relating to them)

Question 2

Impact: 1967 referendum

Answer 2

• Most successful referendum, with 90.77% of voters voting ‘yes’
• Commonwealth could now legislate for indigenous peoples in the states (changed residual power) which allowed them to direct funds towards Aboriginal affairs
• allowed parliaments to pass reforms on housing, health, education, employment and access to justice for Indigenous people
• federal gov could set up an Aboriginal Affairs Portfolio
• allowed First Nations people to be formally counted in state and national populations

Question 3

Significance: 1967 referendum

Answer 3

• Changed residual power to concurrent power
• overwhelming support for this showed voters were seeking change
• bipartisan support from parliament meant there was no ‘no’ case meaning there was a unified, simple message about why change was needed
• wording of the referendum was clear and there was a strong education campaign- clarity
• changed to reflect a modern society and right a moral wrong

Question 4

2023 referendum contents

Answer 4

A proposal was introduced to change the Australian Constitution. This involved recognising First Nations people by establishing a Voice to Parliament, a non-binding advisory body to parliament and the executive, which would allow First Nations people to give advice on policy and legislation.

Question 5

2023 referendum: proposed impact & result

Answer 5

• The constitution would positively recognise Indigenous Australians for the first time as the first people of Australia
• early opinion polling indicated over 60% of Australians supported a Voice to Parliament
• by the time the vote took place, support had dropped to 39%, with no state having a majority yes vote

Question 6

2023 referendum: significance

Answer 6

• highlights the difficulties of changing the constitution even on what seemingly seemed like a popular issue
• demonstrates the need for bipartisian support as the coalition (opposition) did not support the proposed change and established a highly successful ‘no’ campaign
• demonstrates the importance of clarity/education about the proposal as one of the major arguments of the ‘no’ campaign is the proposal lacked clarity and detail
• misinformation through the media amplified the no campaign