Changing Rights and Freedoms Study Notes

Protectionism In place until 1951 In place until 1951 Government regulations and legislation controls the daily life of Aborigines including where they work, whether they may or may not leave reserves, whether they can marry and so on Government regulations and legislation controls the daily life of Aborigines including where they work, whether they may or may not leave reserves, whether they can marry and so on Control of basic responsibilities such as finances and personal property was denied Control of basic responsibilities such as finances and personal property was denied Thousands of Aborigines were displaced from their traditional land and placed on reserves to which they had no spiritual, cultural or historical links Thousands of Aborigines were displaced from their traditional land and placed on reserves to which they had no spiritual, cultural or historical links The grouping of Aboriginals onto reserves served as a convenient opportunity to “Christianize” and “educate” them which led to extensive losses of language and culture The grouping of Aboriginals onto reserves served as a convenient opportunity to “Christianize” and “educate” them which led to extensive losses of language and culture Government Policies Towards Aboriginal Peoples

Assimilation “in the course of time, it is expected that all persons of Aboriginal blood or mixed blood in Australia will live like white Australians do” “in the course of time, it is expected that all persons of Aboriginal blood or mixed blood in Australia will live like white Australians do” 1951 Paul Hasluck, Federal Minister for Territories This policy envisaged that Aboriginals (and non-British European migrants) would shed their traditional values and culture and blend into the Anglo-British Australian way of life This policy envisaged that Aboriginals (and non-British European migrants) would shed their traditional values and culture and blend into the Anglo-British Australian way of life Many Aboriginals were, under this policy, removed from reserves into towns and cities Many Aboriginals were, under this policy, removed from reserves into towns and cities However, this created the ‘fringe camps’. Fringe camps allowed Aborigines to maintain a communal way of life with financial independence. Many were unemployed and continued to rely on Government pensions as a source of income However, this created the ‘fringe camps’. Fringe camps allowed Aborigines to maintain a communal way of life with financial independence. Many were unemployed and continued to rely on Government pensions as a source of income The policy of assimilation caused widespread racism and segregation in many country towns between the whites and Aboriginals who, it was widely believed, represented a hygiene and health risk The policy of assimilation caused widespread racism and segregation in many country towns between the whites and Aboriginals who, it was widely believed, represented a hygiene and health risk The policy led to increasing the practice of children being removed from their families – the generation which became known as “The Stolen Generation” The policy led to increasing the practice of children being removed from their families – the generation which became known as “The Stolen Generation” Government Policies Towards Aboriginal Peoples

Integration Despite the failures of Protectionism and Assimilation Aboriginals still clung to their traditional ways of life, their culture Despite the failures of Protectionism and Assimilation Aboriginals still clung to their traditional ways of life, their culture Many people during the 1960s came to believe that they had a RIGHT and RESPONSIBILITY to confront injustices to change society. Australian society was changing with never before seen events such as the anti-Vietnam Moratorium marches and the recognition of the growing civil rights movement in the US Many people during the 1960s came to believe that they had a RIGHT and RESPONSIBILITY to confront injustices to change society. Australian society was changing with never before seen events such as the anti-Vietnam Moratorium marches and the recognition of the growing civil rights movement in the US the Australian Freedom Rides garnered national and international media attention by publicizing the degree of racism and segregation within Australia the Australian Freedom Rides garnered national and international media attention by publicizing the degree of racism and segregation within Australia 1967 – Referendum held to allow the Federal Government to: 1967 – Referendum held to allow the Federal Government to: 1Make laws to specifically affect the Aboriginal people (s 51); and 2Include the Aboriginals in any future census (s 127) The referendum received bi-lateral political support and recorded a 90.77% “Yes” vote for change The policy of integration, while recognizing the importance of Aboriginal people maintaining their own cultural values, still assumed that the Aboriginal people would adopt white Australian culture. A policy of multiculturism was yet to be established. The policy of integration, while recognizing the importance of Aboriginal people maintaining their own cultural values, still assumed that the Aboriginal people would adopt white Australian culture. A policy of multiculturism was yet to be established.

Self Determination Self-determination is the right of all peoples to 'freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development' (Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights). Self-determination is the right of all peoples to 'freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development' (Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) – the Whitlam Labor Government proclaimed a policy of 'self-determination' for Aboriginals, whereby they gained the right to make decisions about matters affecting their own lives, including the pace and nature of their future development within the legal, social and economic framework of Australian society – the Whitlam Labor Government proclaimed a policy of 'self-determination' for Aboriginals, whereby they gained the right to make decisions about matters affecting their own lives, including the pace and nature of their future development within the legal, social and economic framework of Australian society – the Racial Discrimination Act is passed 1975 – the Racial Discrimination Act is passed States repealed anti-aboriginal laws and the stolen generation came to an end. States repealed anti-aboriginal laws and the stolen generation came to an end. Self-determination encompasses three key aspects: Self-determination encompasses three key aspects: 1Aboriginals should receive the same rights and freedoms as non-Aboriginals. 2Aboriginals should be allowed to choose how they want to live. 3Aboriginals should be allowed to have a say in the policies that affect them 1989 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) is formed 1989 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) is formed 2006 Census data indicates that despite changes to Government policy and practice, there has been little improvement to the socio-economic status of many ATSIC families 2006 Census data indicates that despite changes to Government policy and practice, there has been little improvement to the socio-economic status of many ATSIC families Government Policies Towards Aboriginal Peoples

The Stolen Generations Children were removed, often forcibly, from their families and their culture. The practice had been in place since the early 1900s however, based on the assimilation policy, the practice ballooned. Children were removed, often forcibly, from their families and their culture. The practice had been in place since the early 1900s however, based on the assimilation policy, the practice ballooned. Children were issued new names and dates of birth making the reunification task so much more difficult Children were issued new names and dates of birth making the reunification task so much more difficult Children were placed in foster care, institutionalized or adopted. Siblings were often separated Children were placed in foster care, institutionalized or adopted. Siblings were often separated Family contact and Aboriginality, including language, was discouraged Family contact and Aboriginality, including language, was discouraged Many were abused psychologically and/or physically and given only a rudimentary education - trained in domestic and low paying occupations Many were abused psychologically and/or physically and given only a rudimentary education - trained in domestic and low paying occupations 1980s – more than ATSIC people had lost their links to their families and their culture 1980s – more than ATSIC people had lost their links to their families and their culture HREOC releases the seminal “Bringing Them Home” report noting that the forcible removal of these children was in contravention of Australian and international law HREOC releases the seminal “Bringing Them Home” report noting that the forcible removal of these children was in contravention of Australian and international law 2000 – Liberal Prime Minister Howard refuses to say sorry but expresses ‘regret’ for past injustices 2000 – Liberal Prime Minister Howard refuses to say sorry but expresses ‘regret’ for past injustices 2008 – Labor Prime Minister Rudd formally offers the “Sorry” speech to the Stolen Generations 2008 – Labor Prime Minister Rudd formally offers the “Sorry” speech to the Stolen Generations Neither Liberal or Labor Partys adopt a policy of financial compensation Neither Liberal or Labor Partys adopt a policy of financial compensation

Gove Land Rights Case recognizes that Aboriginal people had lived on the land “since time immemorial” but any such land rights had been extinguished by British laws after Gove Land Rights Case recognizes that Aboriginal people had lived on the land “since time immemorial” but any such land rights had been extinguished by British laws after – Liberal leader Billy McMahon declares Aboriginal “land rights would threaten the tenure of every Australian”. Aboriginal Tent Embassy established to focus attention on Aboriginal land rights 1972 – Liberal leader Billy McMahon declares Aboriginal “land rights would threaten the tenure of every Australian”. Aboriginal Tent Embassy established to focus attention on Aboriginal land rights 1974 – Woodward report into Aboriginal land rights published 1974 – Woodward report into Aboriginal land rights published 1976 – Liberal leader Fraser passes the Aboriginal Land Rights Bill which allows Aboriginal people to claim Crown land and reserves on the basis of traditional ownership – this law is effective ONLY within Federal Territories 1976 – Liberal leader Fraser passes the Aboriginal Land Rights Bill which allows Aboriginal people to claim Crown land and reserves on the basis of traditional ownership – this law is effective ONLY within Federal Territories 1985 – NT Governor, Sir Ninian Stephen, formally returns Ayers Rock to its traditional owners. The rock henceforth becomes known as Uluru 1985 – NT Governor, Sir Ninian Stephen, formally returns Ayers Rock to its traditional owners. The rock henceforth becomes known as Uluru 1988 – the 200 year celebration of white occupation of Australia is tinged with unease in regards to how Aboriginals were dispossessed of their land 1988 – the 200 year celebration of white occupation of Australia is tinged with unease in regards to how Aboriginals were dispossessed of their land 1992 – the Mabo decision determines that: 1992 – the Mabo decision determines that: 1The doctrine of terra nullius was a legal fiction with no place in Australian law 2That native title that existed before 1788 could continue to exist after 1788, if certain strict conditions were met 1993 – Native Title Act passed recognizing 1993 – Native Title Act passed recognizing 1existing land rights for owners of freehold property and pastoral or other leases 2requiring native title claims to be supported by proof of “continuous association” with the land the subject of the claim 1997 – Wik decision declares that native title was NOT extinguished by the granting of a pastoral lease alone 1997 – Wik decision declares that native title was NOT extinguished by the granting of a pastoral lease alone Land Rights and Native Title

Charles Perkins and the Freedom Rides Charles Perkins born in Alice Springs. One of 10 children. He is a ‘half caste’ as is his father, his mother is a full blood. Raised on a mission on the outskirts of Alice Springs. At age 10 Perkins is removed from the Mission to Adelaide where he attends a Protestant run boarding school Charles Perkins born in Alice Springs. One of 10 children. He is a ‘half caste’ as is his father, his mother is a full blood. Raised on a mission on the outskirts of Alice Springs. At age 10 Perkins is removed from the Mission to Adelaide where he attends a Protestant run boarding school Moves to Sydney to enrol in Sydney University to study Arts Moves to Sydney to enrol in Sydney University to study Arts In the USA the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) take a bus from Washington DC to New Orleans to protest the failures to enforce Federal Laws declaring segregation unlawful. The protestors are dubbed the “Freedom Riders”. This bus is fire bombed and the Freedom Riders are beaten by an angry mob in Alabama In the USA the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) take a bus from Washington DC to New Orleans to protest the failures to enforce Federal Laws declaring segregation unlawful. The protestors are dubbed the “Freedom Riders”. This bus is fire bombed and the Freedom Riders are beaten by an angry mob in Alabama May. Sydney University students protest outside the US Consulate including erecting fiery crosses, wearing white sheets reminiscent of the Klu Klux Klan (KKK). The protest is focussed against attempts by some Southern US Senators to block the US Civil Rights Bill introduced by JFK and subsequently championed by LBJ. Over 50 arrests are made May. Sydney University students protest outside the US Consulate including erecting fiery crosses, wearing white sheets reminiscent of the Klu Klux Klan (KKK). The protest is focussed against attempts by some Southern US Senators to block the US Civil Rights Bill introduced by JFK and subsequently championed by LBJ. Over 50 arrests are made Galvanised by the media coverage the US Consulate protest had attracted and coupled with the realization that segregation in Australia is just as rampant (but perhaps hidden from the general community) students form a group named Student Action for Aborigines (SAFA). Charles Perkins, aged 28, is elected its first President Galvanised by the media coverage the US Consulate protest had attracted and coupled with the realization that segregation in Australia is just as rampant (but perhaps hidden from the general community) students form a group named Student Action for Aborigines (SAFA). Charles Perkins, aged 28, is elected its first President An Australian version of the Freedom Riders bus set out from Sydney with its initial aim to gather evidence of segregation in Australia. The bus stops at Walgett where the protestors commence a demonstration outside the Walgett RSL Club about discriminatory practices in the town. The protestors are ejected from the town and an unknown person attempts to run the bus off the road An Australian version of the Freedom Riders bus set out from Sydney with its initial aim to gather evidence of segregation in Australia. The bus stops at Walgett where the protestors commence a demonstration outside the Walgett RSL Club about discriminatory practices in the town. The protestors are ejected from the town and an unknown person attempts to run the bus off the road In Moree the protestors “invade” the local swimming pool area which segregates between whites and blacks These and other actions garnered a swathe of media attention and the protestors return to Sydney In Moree the protestors “invade” the local swimming pool area which segregates between whites and blacks These and other actions garnered a swathe of media attention and the protestors return to Sydney

Charles Perkins and the Freedom Rides Perkins becomes one of the first Aboriginals to graduate with a University Degree Perkins becomes one of the first Aboriginals to graduate with a University Degree The significance of the Freedom Rides include: The significance of the Freedom Rides include: 1The success of the 1967 referendum which allowed the Federal Government to: - Make laws to specifically affect the Aboriginal people (s 51); and - Include the Aboriginals in any future census (s 127) 2Highlighted the need for change in Aboriginal policy leading to integration and subsequently self determination 3The ultimate establishment of the Federal Office of Aboriginal Affairs – a department wholly focused on indigenous issues 4Catapulted Perkins into a position of Aboriginal spokesperson and leader – arguably the first effective Australian Aboriginal role model since white occupation 1984 – Perkins becomes Secretary of the Office of Aboriginal Affairs – the highest office, at that time, ever achieved by an indigenous person 1984 – Perkins becomes Secretary of the Office of Aboriginal Affairs – the highest office, at that time, ever achieved by an indigenous person 1987 – Perkins is awarded named an Officer of the Order of Australia (OA) 1987 – Perkins is awarded named an Officer of the Order of Australia (OA) Perkins was named by the National Trust of Australia as one of Australia's Living National Treasures Perkins was named by the National Trust of Australia as one of Australia's Living National Treasures 2000 – Perkins dies and is awarded a full State funeral 2000 – Perkins dies and is awarded a full State funeral