McGregor, Russell (2009) 27 May 1967: the 1967 referendum: an uncertain consensus. In: Crotty, Martin, and Roberts, David Andrew, (eds.) Turning Points in Australian History. University of New South Wales Press, Sydney, NSW, Australia, pp. 171-183.

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Abstract

On 27 May 1967, campaigners for the rights and status of Indigenous Australians won the most decisive referendum victory in Australian history. Led by the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI), these campaigners sought the deletion of two references in the Australian Constitution which they claimed discriminated against Indigenous Australians. Over 90 per cent of Australian voters endorsed the constitutional amendments. In no electorate was the affirmative vote less than 70 per cent; in some it exceeded 95 per cent. This was as close to consensus as can be expected in a democratic contest. The extraordinarily high affirmative vote, however, has promoted exaggerated assessments of the referendum's consequences.

Item ID:	7870
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-1-92410-56-7
Keywords:	Aboriginal policies, history; 1867 referendum; civil rights, Australia; Aboriginal activism; Australian constitution, history
Related URLs:	Publisher
Date Deposited:	21 Dec 2009 03:55
FoR Codes:	21 HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 2103 Historical Studies > 210301 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History @ 75% 21 HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 2103 Historical Studies > 210303 Australian History (excl Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History) @ 25%
SEO Codes:	94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9402 Government and Politics > 940201 Civics and Citizenship @ 25% 95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9505 Understanding Past Societies > 950503 Understanding Australias Past @ 75%
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