Voting on 27 May 1967

Vote 'Yes' for equality

There were two issues for consideration at the 1967 referendum.   

The first was a proposal that the number of members of the House of Representatives could be increased without a corresponding increase in the number of senators. This was supported by the Liberal Government and the Labor Opposition but not by other political parties including the Democratic Labor Party and Liberal Reform. Despite their differences all these groups were united in their support of the proposal to change the two sections of the constitution relating to Aboriginal Australians. 

In the referendum less than 40% of voters approved the change involving the number of parliamentarians but more than 90% approved the changes to the sections relating to Aboriginal Australians.

A How to Vote Card from the Democratic Labor Party

A How to Vote Card from the Democratic Labor Party

Liberal Reform's voting preferences.

Liberal Reform's voting preferences.

The Liberal Party's How to Vote card.

The Liberal Party's How to Vote card.

The Labor Party's voting preference.

The Labor Party's voting preference.

The ballot paper as presented to Queensland voters.

The ballot paper as presented to Queensland voters.

The wording of the Constitution at the time allowed only voters registered in the six states to vote in a referendum. Voters in the Northern Territory, with its significant Aboriginal population, and the Australian Capital Territory were excluded.

The wording of the Constitution at the time allowed only voters registered in the six states to vote in a referendum. Voters in the Northern Territory, with its significant Aboriginal population, and the Australian Capital Territory were excluded.

This tally sheet shows the final results of the vote to change the Constitution regarding Aboriginal Australians.

This tally sheet shows the final results of the vote to change the Constitution regarding Aboriginal Australians.

Among the ANU academics seeking to promote the rights of Aboriginal Australians was former ANU Chancellor Dr HC ‘Nugget’ Coombs. ANU academics founded the journal ‘Aboriginal History’ in 1977.

Among the ANU academics seeking to promote the rights of Aboriginal Australians was former ANU Chancellor Dr HC ‘Nugget’ Coombs. ANU academics founded the journal ‘Aboriginal History’ in 1977.

Emeritus Professor W E H (Bill) Stanner, Dr Diane Barwick, Dr HC 'Nugget' Coombs and Professor Wang Gungwu (Director of the Research School of Pacific Studies) at the launch of the first volume of the journal 'Aboriginal History'

Emeritus Professor W E H (Bill) Stanner, Dr Diane Barwick, Dr HC 'Nugget' Coombs and Professor Wang Gungwu (Director of the Research School of Pacific Studies) at the launch of the first volume of the journal 'Aboriginal History'