History Term 4 Rights and Freedoms Flashcards
Social activism
The 1965 Freedom Ride –
led by Uncle Charlie Perkins and students at Usyd 12th feb to 26th
aimed to highlight racial discrimination in Northern NSW country towns e.g. Walgett and Moree
Walgett - RSL that denied access to Aboriginal people
Moree - had a swimming pool for whites only
Increased awareness and discussions about the need for anti-discrimination legislation and government intervention to address racial inequality in Northern NSW rural towns
Paved the way for the 1967 Referendum
1966 Gurindji Strike -
23th Aug 1966, tired of Aboriginals being “treated like dogs”, Vincent Lingari led 200 Aboriginal workers off of Wave Hill Cattle Station
After nearly 7 years, the newly elected Whitlam government reached an agreement to lease the Wave Hill station and surrounding areas to the Gurindji people for residential and cultural purposes.
Increased pressure on the government to address Indigenous land rights. Paved the way for the Land Rights Act of 1976
Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1972 -
Tents erected outside parliament to exhibit the feeling of exclusion many Aboriginal communities felt from their own country
The Embassy aimed to directly pressure the government. By occupying the symbolic space, Indigenous activists sought immediate acknowledgment of their concerns, pushing for a dialogue on issues such as land rights, sovereignty, and representation.
The Embassy experienced dismantlements, yet its persistence showcased the determination of Indigenous voices.
led to on-site negotiations.
Put pressure on the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with Indigenous representatives and address their concerns through policies related to land rights, representation, and reconciliation.
Legal activism:
1967 referendum -
Aimed to remove discriminatory sections of the constitution (Section 51 and 127)
2 years after the Australian Freedom Rides and 1 after the Gurindji Strike
90.77% of voters voted ‘yes’
Demonstrated widespread public support for removing discriminatory sections of the constitution.
Amending the constitution to include Indigenous Australians in the national census and give the federal government the power to legislate for them, not the state govts.
Land Rights Act in 1976 -
Fraser government.
Equal land rights for Indigenous Australians, a part of their culture that is most important to them.
Allowed Indigenous people to claim Crown land and reserves in the Northern Territory on the basis of traditional ownership
Encouraged Indigenous rights activist Eddie Mabo to challenge the High Court in 1992, this ultimately abolished in law “terra nullius” in the constitution.
This legislation reflected a government response to the ongoing activism and advocacy for Indigenous land rights, acknowledging the importance of land in Indigenous culture
First legislation in Australia that enabled First Nations peoples to claim land rights for Country where traditional ownership could be proven.
Uluru Statement from the Heart 2017 -
Sought to form a “Makarrata Commission” (agreement after struggle) where they could be formally consulted on legislation and policy affecting their communities.
Look past injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and helping both government and Aboriginals to reach an agreement
Advisory body offering guidance
Contemporary inequality:
The 2014 ‘Social Justice and Native title’ report -
Aboriginal Australians 15x more likely to be put in prison than non
Aboriginal Australians.
Indigenous adults = 2% of population, 27% of adult prisoner population
By 2015, suicide rates in Aboriginal communities were twice the amount of the non-Indegenous population.
According to the 2010 ACER report, the average Indigenous student is half as likely to stay at school until the end of Year 12
Indigenous unemployment rate = 3 x non-indigenous
The report prompted govt. to address issues such as the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system, high suicide rates, educational disparities, and unemployment
“Stolen Generation” -
The forced removal of over 100 000 Aboriginal children, white People then had complete authority over the lives of Aboriginal people.
“bred out” of their Aboriginality.
Reasons for their removal were considered to be socially motivated, including “racial purity”.
In the 1997, “The Bringing Them Home Report” was politically recognised and examined the long term effects of this attempted genocide, through the violation of the civil rights and shocking statistics of abuse and poverty.
“Sorry” speech by Kevin Rudd in 2008
Northern Territory Emergency Response 2007 (NTER) -
Little Children are Sacred report
Cutting of welfare payments
Bans on alcohol
Increased police presence in communities, compulsory health checks for all children, and the power of the government to take possession of Aboriginal land and property
