Indigenous Rights Essay Flashcards
What are political rights?
Political rights are those which enable citizens to participate in government
What are legal rights?
Legal rights are those which protect individuals against the arbitrary use of state power
When were Indigenous men given the right to vote?
1949, but only those who served in military
When was Electoral Roll Act 1902 amended?
1962, by Menzies government allowing Aboriginal people to enroll, however enrolling was non-compulsory, highlighting there was still discrimination
When were Aboriginals given equal rights in regards to enrolling to vote?
1984
When was the first Indigenous parliament member elected?
1974
Current share of Aboriginal MPs?
26 MPs across parliaments. 3.2%, in line with 3.1% of total population, highest ever
Current Indigenous enrollment rate?
81%, also at its highest
What is the voter support behind the voice to parliament?
73%
Examples of legal (land) rights cases?
Koowarta v QLD 1982, Griffiths v NT, Mabo 1992
Summary of Koowarta case?
Koowarta wanted to claim ancestral homeland, but QLD government denied only bc they didn’t want Aboriginal people owning large land expanses. He challenged with RD Act 1975 and succeeded.
Case advanced Indigenous legal rights including access to justice and equality before the law against governments
