Aboriginal Rights and Freedoms Timeline
1901 Federation
1957: National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC)
"in reckoning the numbers of people… Aboriginal natives shall not be counted". It also states that the Commonwealth would legislate for any race except Aboriginal people. This leaves the power over Aboriginal Affairs with the states.
1967: Referendum
formed with support from Federal and State Governments.
1972: Tent Embassy
90.7% of Australians vote YES to count Indigenous Australians in the census and to give the Commonwealth Government the power to make laws for them.
1995: sorry walk
outside parliament house. adopts indigenous flag
White Australia policy abolished.
Self determination adopted as policy for indigenous people
1910-onward: Indigenous children stolen from their homes
1997: Bringing Them Home
National Sorry Day
An annual event held on 26th of May to remember and commemorate the mistreatment of indigenous Australians.
Redfern Riots
Aboriginal youths gathered from across Sydney to Redfern. When police closed the Eveleigh street entrance the crowd became violent and bricks, bottles and lit fireworks were being thrown.
The violence escalated to a riot and the Redfern railway became briefly alight.
2016/2017: a debate on changing Australia day
Australia day is currently held on 'invasion day' a day for mourning for indigenous people.
Having Australia's national day celebrating all Australians on the day that excludes and rubs salt in the wounds of many indigenous people is uninclusive and offensive.