What does the term division of law- making power actually
mean?? 2
Slide 3
1910 States Debts Enhanced the capacity of the Commonwealth to
manage the debts of the states BY Enabled the Commonwealth to take
over state debts that were in existence at the time of Federation
5/6 states 55% of national vote Constitution Alteration (States
Debt) Act 1909 (Cwlth) 1946 Social Security Established the rights
of the Commonwealth to grant social security payments across a
variety of areas. Prior to the referendum reference was only made
in the constitution regarding invalid and old age pensions Enabled
payments such as; maternity, widows pensions, unemployment, student
benefits etc. 3
Slide 4
In the 1850s Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and South Australia gave
voting rights to all British subjects over 21. This included
Indigenous Australians. In 1895 S.A gave Women the right to vote
and sit in Parliament. This included Indigenous Women Queensland
and WA barred voting by Indigenous Australians. (Each state had its
own laws regarding Aboriginal people and there were inconsistencies
between those laws.) Prior to the referendum Section 51 (xxvi) of
the Constitution outlined that the Australian Parliament could make
laws for anyone except Aborigines. On 2 March 1967 Prime Minister
Harold Holt introduced legislation for a referendum, which was held
on 27 May 1967. Significant reasons were put forward for the yes
vote: To allow Aborigines to share the same status as
non-indigenous Australians To heal some of the wounds of
discrimination that had been felt since the nineteenth century To
give the Commonwealth the legal right under s. 51 of the
Constitution to create special laws for the benefit of Aboriginal
people To allow the Commonwealth to take control of law-making in
this area and ensure uniformity throughout Australia for Aboriginal
people. 4
Slide 5
RESULTS IMPACT OF THE REFERENDUM Do you approve the proposed
law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled An Act to alter
the Constitution so as to omit certain words relating to the people
of the Aboriginal race in any state so that Aboriginals are to be
counted in reckoning the population? National 90.77% All states Yes
(Lowest 80.95 WA) Where the states could once make law for
indigenous people that reflected their own local concerns, the 1967
referendum made this impossible Section 109 of the Constitution has
ensured that any state law that is inconsistent with the
Commonwealth's approach to indigenous affairs would become invalid.
5
Slide 6
Read case study on Page 67 Answer questions 1- 5 on page 68
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