Talk:Australian referendum, 1967 (Aboriginals)
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The article says that "Aboriginal people became Australian citizens in 1947" - just wondering why then it is said that Albert Namatjira became Australia's first Aboriginal citizen in 1957. [1] Cfitzart 09:07, 19 October 2005 (UTC)
I have no idea what that is refering to. The Citzenship Act (1947) contained no racial exclusions and indigenous Australians were therefore Australian citizens from that date. They had previously been, like all other Australians, British subjects. Until the 1960s, however, they continued to be subject to various restrictions under state laws and (in the Northern Territory) under regulations made under Commonwealth law. Possibly Namatjira was released from these restrictions in 1957 but I am not an expert on his life. Adam 09:15, 19 October 2005 (UTC)
- He was allowed to purchase alcohol after this time, that was one of the restrictions. Also here: "This meant they could vote, enter a hotel and build a house anywhere they chose." [2] Most biographies of Namatjira mention that he was the first citizen but I cant find what the official law or whatever was that made this so Cfitzart 09:29, 19 October 2005 (UTC)
This whole topic is so encrusted in mythology that I would very cautious in believing anything I read unless it is in a recent and well-referenced academic source. I think this must be a reference to the various restrictions in indigenous Australians in the Territory at that time. But these had nothing to do with citizenship as such. Adam 10:29, 19 October 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Heading
Should the heading be Aboriginals or Australian Aborigines? Technically Aboriginal is an adjective, although it is used as a noun for the Australian people. These days it is probably preferable to use Indigenous People BUT we should probably use the terminology more appropriate to the time and I think 'Aboriginals' was not the preferred way to describe them. Sterry2607 08:52, 3 June 2007 (UTC)
