The 1967 referendum

In a referendum held on 27 May 1967, Australians voted to remove references in the Australian Constitution discriminating against First Australians.

In a referendum held on 27 May 1967, Australians voted to remove references in the Australian Constitution discriminating against First Australians.

The changes to the Constitution included the repeal of 2 sections, Section 51 (xxvi) and Section 127. This enabled the Australian Parliament to:

  • make special laws for First Australians
  • include First Australians in the national census.

For more records relating to the 1967 referendum, visit referendums and changing Australia's constitution.

You can learn more about the history of the Australian Constitution on a virtual tour of our exhibition Voices / Dhuniai: Federation, democracy and the Constitution.

Curriculum areas

  • Year 10 History
  • Year 11 History
  • Year 12 History
  • Year 6 History
  • Year 7 Civics and Citizenship

Questions

  • What motivated the Australian community to campaign for constitutional change? 
  • Prior to the 1967 referendum, what attempts had been made to raise awareness of issues affecting First Australians? 
  • What changes were made to the Constitution as a result of the referendum? What was the impact of this?

Records

Record

Letter to Prime Minister Ben Chifley advocating for Aboriginal Representation in Parliament.

Request for First Australian representation in federal parliament – Letter to Prime Minister Chifley

This is a letter from Labor Member of Parliament Kim E Beazley (Senior) to Prime Minister Ben Chifley.

Record

First Australian campaigners meeting with Prime Minister Harold Holt.

First Australian campaigners meet with Prime Minister Harold Holt seeking support for the 1967 referendum

Members of the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders with Prime Minister Harold Holt at Parliament House in Canberra.

Record

A page from a petition to King George V from the 'Aboriginal Inhabitants of Australia'

Petition to King George V from the 'Aboriginal Inhabitants of Australia’

A typed page from a formal petition to King George V, requesting his intercession 'to prevent the extinction of the Aboriginal Race'.

Record

Power to legislate on behalf of Indigenous people, 1967.

The decision by Parliament to hold 1967 referendum – Cabinet minute

This is a Cabinet minute recording the government’s decision to hold a referendum to give parliament the power to make laws for First Australians.

Record

Notice of the results of the 1967 referendum.

Announcement of 1967 referendum results in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette

Notice in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette of the results of the 1967 referendum.

Record

Argument in favour of the proposed Constitution Alteration (Aboriginals) 1967.

Argument in favour of the proposed Constitution Alteration (Aboriginals) 1967

This document summarises the arguments in favour of changing sections 51 and 127 in the Australian Constitution.

Resources

Resource

Tally board referendum results Nexus, at the Albert Hall in Canberra.

The 1967 Referendum (Parliament of Australia)

Resource

A group of activists with federal politicians

The 1967 Referendum

Resource

Referendum, 1967 voting instructions.

The Referendum Australia Had to Have (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies)

Resource

1967 Referendum - ballot papers

Australia's 1967 Referendum (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Resource

1967 Referendum - ballot papers.

The 1967 Aborigines Referendum (Australian Bureau of Statistics)

Resource

Tally board referendum results Nexus, at the Albert Hall in Canberra.

The 1967 Referendum (National Library of Australia)

Resource

Referendum, 1967 Constitution alteration, voting instructions.

Aboriginal Australia - Referendums and Recognition: The 1967 Referendum (State Library of South Australia)

Resource

Referendum, 1967 Constitution alteration, voting form.

Referendum, 1957–67 (National Museum of Australia)

Resource

Referendum, 1967, arguments, the case for yes.

The 1967 Referendum Digital Classroom (National Library of Australia)

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