Question

Difficulty: MediumNational Reconciliation Week: Mabo Decision and 1967 Referendum

National Reconciliation Week begins every year on 27 May to mark the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum. Which of the following describes a key change that resulted from this referendum?

  1. A
    The High Court recognized that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have Native Title rights over their traditional lands.
  2. B
    The six separate British colonies in Australia united to form a single nation known as the Commonwealth of Australia.
  3. The Australian Constitution was changed to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were included in the official census.Answer

Answer

The Australian Constitution was changed to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were included in the official census.
The correct answer is correct because the 1967 Referendum specifically resulted in changes to the Australian Constitution that allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be counted in the census and enabled the Commonwealth to make laws regarding them.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the event associated with the start of National Reconciliation Week.
The week starts on 27 May, commemorating the 1967 Referendum.
National Reconciliation Week is framed by two legal milestones: the 1967 Referendum (start) and the Mabo decision (end).
2
Determine the specific outcome of the 1967 Referendum.
Australians voted to change the Constitution to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census and allow the federal government to make laws for them.
This referendum saw a record 'Yes' vote to remove discriminatory sections of the Constitution.

Key Concept

The 1967 Referendum as a bookend of National Reconciliation Week

Hints

1
Think about the difference between a public vote (referendum) and a court ruling.
2
The 1967 Referendum was about the Constitution and how people are counted in the nation's records.

Practice More

Review the significance of 3 June (Mabo Day) to understand how it differs from the 1967 Referendum.
Estimated Time:45s
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