From Federation to the 20th Century: The History of First Nations Peoples in Australian Politics
By bigbuns69
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1901 - Federation:
Australia becomes a nation with the Federation of the colonies. The new Commonwealth government takes control of Indigenous affairs, leading to the implementation of various assimilation policies. -
1910 - White Australia Policy:
Enacted through various immigration laws, the White Australia Policy sought to limit non-European migration, indirectly impacting Indigenous communities and reinforcing discriminatory attitudes. -
Assimilation Policy:
The Assimilation Policy became official government policy, aiming to absorb Indigenous Australians into the dominant European culture. This policy had devastating consequences for Indigenous communities, including forced removal of children. -
Right to Vote:
Indigenous Australians were granted the right to vote in federal elections. However, state laws continued to disenfranchise them for several more years. -
Referendum:
A landmark referendum results in changes to the Australian Constitution, allowing the federal government to legislate specifically for Indigenous Australians and count them in the national census. -
Land Rights Movement:
Indigenous Australians begin to assert their rights to land, leading to significant legal and political changes, including the landmark Mabo case in 1992 that recognized native title. -
Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody:
This inquiry investigated the high rate of deaths of Indigenous Australians in custody, leading to numerous recommendations for systemic change. -
Apology to the Stolen Generations:
In a historic moment, then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issues a formal apology to the Indigenous Australians affected by the forced removal policies, known as the Stolen Generations. -
Voice to Parliament:
The rejected campaign aimed to establish a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice to advise the Australian Parliament on matters affecting Indigenous peoples.