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Difficulty: Very hardNational Reconciliation Week: Mabo Decision and 1967 Referendum

National Reconciliation Week is defined by two historic anniversaries that significantly altered the legal and constitutional status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Which of the following accurately describes the specific milestones that mark the start and the conclusion of this week?

  1. A
    The week begins on the anniversary of the 1967 referendum that granted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the right to vote in federal elections, and ends with the 1992 Mabo decision that established the first National Indigenous Representative Body.
  2. The week starts on the anniversary of the 1967 referendum that enabled the Commonwealth to make laws for Indigenous Australians and ends with the 1992 Mabo decision that recognized Native Title by overturning the doctrine of 'terra nullius.'Answer
  3. C
    The week opens on the anniversary of National Sorry Day to acknowledge the Stolen Generations and closes on the anniversary of the 1992 High Court decision that mandated the Australian Government to sign a formal treaty with all First Nations peoples.

Answer

The week starts on the anniversary of the 1967 referendum that enabled the Commonwealth to make laws for Indigenous Australians and ends with the 1992 Mabo decision that recognized Native Title by overturning the doctrine of 'terra nullius.'
The correct answer accurately identifies the two legal pillars of National Reconciliation Week. The week begins on 27 May, the anniversary of the 1967 referendum which saw over 90% of Australians vote to change the Constitution to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the census and allow the Federal Parliament to make laws for them. The week ends on 3 June, the anniversary of the 1992 High Court Mabo decision, which legally recognized that Indigenous people have a special relationship with the land (Native Title) and dismissed the idea that Australia was 'terra nullius' at the time of settlement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the start date of National Reconciliation Week.
27 May.
This date commemorates the 1967 referendum, which was a turning point for Indigenous rights in the Australian Constitution.
2
Analyze the legal significance of the 1967 Referendum.
It allowed the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and included them in the census.
Before this, the states held primary power over Indigenous affairs, and Indigenous people were excluded from the official population count.
3
Identify the end date of National Reconciliation Week.
3 June.
This date commemorates the 1992 Mabo Decision by the High Court of Australia.
4
Analyze the legal significance of the Mabo Decision.
It recognized Native Title and overturned the doctrine of 'terra nullius' (land belonging to no one).
The High Court ruled that Indigenous Australians had a prior and continuing connection to the land that the law must recognize.

Key Concept

The framing milestones of National Reconciliation Week (1967 Referendum and Mabo Decision)

Hints

1
Recall the two specific dates that mark the start and end of National Reconciliation Week: 27 May and 3 June.
2
Think about which event happened in 1967 (a national vote) and which happened in 1992 (a High Court ruling).
3
Remember that the 1967 referendum changed the Constitution regarding law-making and the census, while the Mabo decision dealt with the concept of 'terra nullius'.

Practice More

Review the specific changes made to Section 51 and Section 127 of the Australian Constitution following the 1967 referendum.
Estimated Time:3m 0s
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National Reconciliation Week: Mabo Decision and 1967 Referendum

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