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Discrimination in the AustralianDiscrimination in the Australian Voting Systemg y
Foreign Studies B3 October 2017
Lecture 1
Lecture OverviewLecture Overview
• A brief history of Australia• 3 cases of discrimination in Australia’s voting3 cases of discrimination in Australia s voting
system
A Brief History of Australia
Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia• Before 1770 ere li ing in• Before 1770 – ______________ were living in
Australia for 40,000+ years
Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia• Before 1770 Aboriginal Australians ere• Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were
living in Australia for 40,000+ years
Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia• Before 1770 Aboriginal Australians ere• Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were
living in Australia for 40,000+ years• 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by _______
explorersexplorers
Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia• Before 1770 Aboriginal Australians ere• Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were
living in Australia for 40,000+ years• 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British
explorersexplorers
Pre British Settlement AustraliaPre-British Settlement Australia
Exploration by Europeans until 18121606 Willem Janszoon (Dutch)1606 Willem Janszoon (Dutch)1606 Luis Váez de Torres (Spanish)1616 Dirk Hartog (Dutch)1619 Frederick de Houtman (Dutch)1619 Frederick de Houtman (Dutch)1644 Abel Tasman (Dutch)1696 Willem de Vlamingh (Dutch)1699 William Dampier (British)1699 William Dampier (British)1770 James Cook (British)1797–1799 George Bass (British)1801–1803 Matthew Flinders (British)( )
Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia• Before 1770 Aboriginal Australians ere• Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were
living in Australia for 40,000+ years• 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British
explorersexplorers• ____ – Australia was settled/colonized by
B i i A li b B i i h C lBritain… Australia became a British Colony
Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia• Before 1770 Aboriginal Australians ere• Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were
living in Australia for 40,000+ years• 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British
explorersexplorers• 1788 – Australia was settled/colonized by
B i i A li b B i i h C lBritain… Australia became a British Colony
Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia• Before 1770 Aboriginal Australians ere• Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were
living in Australia for 40,000+ years• 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British
explorersexplorers• 1788 – Australia was settled/colonized by
B i i A li b B i i h C lBritain… Australia became a British Colony• 1788 – 1850 Various colonies were settled, ,
but all were under British government rule
Colonies of “Australia”
Colonies of “Australia”
Colonies of “Australia”
Colonies of “Australia”
Colonies of “Australia”
Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia• Before 1770 Aboriginal Australians ere• Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were
living in Australia for 40,000+ years• 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British
explorersexplorers• 1788 – Australia was settled/colonized by
B i i A li b B i i h C lBritain… Australia became a British Colony• 1788 – 1850 Various colonies were settled, ,
but all were under British government rule
Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia• Before 1770 Aboriginal Australians were• Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were
living in Australia for 40,000+ years0 li “di d” b i i h• 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British
explorers• 1788 – Australia was settled/colonized by
Britain… Australia became a British Colonyy• 1788 – 1850 Various colonies were settled,
but all were under British government rulebut all were under British government rule• From 1850 – The colonies became self-
i d ll d t t th igoverning and were allowed to create their own constitutions, parliaments and laws i l di l b t tiincluding laws about voting
Colonies of “Australia”
Colonies of “Australia”
Colonies of “Australia”Would it be usefulWould it be useful to have a “national
government”??( )(1880s - 1890s)
Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia• Before 1770 Aboriginal Australians were• Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were
living in Australia for 40,000+ years0 li “di d” b i i h• 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British
explorers• 1788 – Australia was settled/colonized by
Britain… Australia became a British Colonyy• 1788 – 1850 Various colonies were settled,
but all were under British government rulebut all were under British government rule• From 1850 – The colonies were allowed to
t th i tit ti li tcreate their own constitutions, parliaments and laws including laws about voting
• 1901 – Federalization of Australia
Federalism: Powers are divided between the “Commonwealth” (=national/federal) governmentCommonwealth ( national/federal) government
and the six State governments.
23
Federalism: Powers are divided between the “Commonwealth” (=national/federal) governmentCommonwealth ( national/federal) government
and the six State governments.
7 elections… 1 federal election
& 6 state elections
24
Who should beWho should be allowed to vote at
“Federal Elections”??
Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia• Before 1770 Aboriginal Australians were living• Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were living
in Australia for 40,000+ years• 1770 Australia was “discovered” by British• 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British
explorers1788 A li l d/ l i d b• 1788 – Australia was settled/colonized by Britain… Australia became a British Colony
• 1788 – 1850 Various colonies were settled, but all were under British government rule
• From 1850 – The colonies were allowed to create their own constitutions, parliaments and laws including laws about voting
• 1901 – Federalization of Australia• 1902 – The Commonwealth Franchise Act
Important Dates to RememberImportant Dates to Remember
• 1770• 17881788• 1901• 1902
Important Dates to RememberImportant Dates to Remember
• 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by Britain• 1788 – Australia was “settled” by Britain1788 Australia was settled by Britain• 1901 – Federalization of Australia• 1902 – Commonwealth Franchise Act
Important Points to RememberImportant Points to Remember
f / ( f d li i )• Before 1901/1902 (pre-federalization)– FEDERAL elections?– COLONY elections?– STATE elections?
• After 1901/1902 (post-federalization)• After 1901/1902 (post-federalization)– FEDERAL elections?
COLONY l ti ?– COLONY elections?– STATE elections?
Important Points to RememberImportant Points to Remember
f / ( f d li i )• Before 1901/1902 (pre-federalization)– FEDERAL elections? NO– COLONY elections? YES– STATE elections? NO
• After 1901/1902 (post-federalization)• After 1901/1902 (post-federalization)– FEDERAL elections?
COLONY l ti ?– COLONY elections?– STATE elections?
Important Points to RememberImportant Points to Remember
f / ( f d li i )• Before 1901/1902 (pre-federalization)– FEDERAL elections? NO– COLONY elections? YES– STATE elections? NO
• After 1901/1902 (post-federalization)• After 1901/1902 (post-federalization)– FEDERAL elections? YES (under FEDERAL LAWS)
COLONY l ti ? NO– COLONY elections? NO– STATE elections? YES (under STATE LAWS)
Di i i ti i th V tiDiscrimination in the Voting System – 3 CasesSystem 3 Cases
Discrimination in the Voting Systemg yBefore & After
Th C l h F hi AThe Commonwealth Franchise Act
1. Property Qualifications2. Women3. Aboriginal Australians3. Aboriginal Australians
Property QualificationsProperty Qualifications
Property QualificationsBefore the Commonwealth Franchise Act??
Property QualificationsProperty Qualifications
1856 U i l1856: Universal Manhood SuffrageSuffrage
Property QualificationsProperty Qualifications
18721893
1858
1893
1856 U i l1857
1858
1856: Universal Manhood Suffrage
1896Suffrage
Property QualificationsAfter the Commonwealth Franchise Act??
Property QualificationsProperty Qualifications1902: Universal
SuffrageSuffrage (No Property
Qualifications)
Voting Rights for WomenVoting Rights for Women
Voting Rights for WomenVoting Rights for Women
Women’s Suffrage
MovementMovement
Voting Rights for WomenBefore the Commonwealth Franchise Act??
Voting Rights for WomenVoting Rights for Women
1895 W1895: Women Given the Right
to Voteto Vote
Voting Rights for WomenVoting Rights for Women
1899
1895 W1895: Women Given the Right
to Voteto Vote
Voting Rights for WomenAfter the Commonwealth Franchise Act??
Voting Rights for Womeng g1902: Universal
Suffrage Su age(For Women & Men
over 21)
First Federal Election (1901): Only women who
had the right to vote inhad the right to vote in their state could vote
Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
V i Ri h fVoting Rights for Aboriginal AustraliansAboriginal Australians
Before the Commonwealth Franchise Act??
Voting Rights for Aboriginal AustraliansVoting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
1856: Universal Manhood S ff
1895 W
Suffrage
1895: Women Given the Right
to Voteto Vote
Voting Rights for Aboriginal AustraliansVoting Rights for Aboriginal AustraliansIncluded AboriginalIncluded Aboriginal
Australians BUT THEY WERE NOT ENOURAGED
TO VOTE
1856: Universal Manhood S ff
1895 W
Suffrage
1895: Women Given the Right
to Voteto Vote
Voting Rights for Aboriginal AustraliansVoting Rights for Aboriginal AustraliansSome colonies evenIncluded Aboriginal Some colonies even
DENIED ABORIGINAL PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO
Included Aboriginal Australians BUT THEY
WERE NOT ENOURAGED VOTETO VOTE
※※1856: Universal
Manhood S ff
※
1895 W
Suffrage
1895: Women Given the Right
to Voteto Vote
V i Ri h fVoting Rights for Aboriginal AustraliansAboriginal Australians
After the Commonwealth Franchise Act??
Voting Rights for Aboriginal AustraliansVoting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
hThe Commonwealth
Franchise ActFranchise Act DENIED Aboriginal people, Islanders, p p
and people of Asian and African b k d hbackground the
right to vote. (c f White(c.f. White
Australia Policy)
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
• 1925: Mitta Bullosh (British Indian man living in Victoria))– I am British! I have the right to vote (under Section
41 of the constitution)!41 of the constitution)!
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
• 1925: Mitta Bullosh (British Indian man living in Victoria))– I am British! I have the right to vote (under Section
41 of the constitution)!41 of the constitution)!
What happened next?What happened next?a) All Aboriginal Australians were given the right to voteb) All British Indians were given the right to vote) EVERYONE i A li ( 21) i h i hc) EVERYONE in Australia (over 21) was given the right to vote
d) Still, only people of “European origin” were allowed to vote
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
• 1925: Mitta Bullosh (British Indian man living in Victoria))– I am British! I have the right to vote (under Section
41 of the constitution)!41 of the constitution)!
What happened next?What happened next?a) All Aboriginal Australians were given the right to voteb) All British Indians were given the right to vote) EVERYONE i A li ( 21) i h i hc) EVERYONE in Australia (over 21) was given the right to vote
d) Still, only people of “European origin” were allowed to vote
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
1902: Universal Suffrage (ForSuffrage (For
Women & Men over 21)
1925: Universal Suffrage for Indians
of British Citizenship
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
• 1925: Mitta Bullosh (British Indian man living in Victoria))– I am British! I have the right to vote (under Section
41 of the constitution)!41 of the constitution)!• 1940s: Voting rights for Aboriginal Australians
h h d i h d f fwho have served in the defense forces– They die for their country… why can’t they vote?
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
• 1925: Mitta Bullosh (British Indian man living in Victoria)– I am British! I have the right to vote (under Section 41)!
• 1940s: Voting rights for Aboriginal Australianswho have served in the defense forces– They die for their country… why can’t they vote?
What happened next?a) All Aboriginal Australians were given the right to voteb) All Aboriginal Australians who had served in the defense forcesb) All Aboriginal Australians who had served in the defense forces
were given the right to votec) EVERYONE in Australia (over 21) was given the right to voted) Still only people of “European origin” & British Indians wered) Still, only people of European origin & British Indians were
allowed to vote
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
• 1925: Mitta Bullosh (British Indian man living in Victoria)– I am British! I have the right to vote (under Section 41)!
• 1940s: Voting rights for Aboriginal Australianswho have served in the defense forces– They die for their country… why can’t they vote?
What happened next?a) All Aboriginal Australians were given the right to voteb) All Aboriginal Australians who had served in the defense forcesb) All Aboriginal Australians who had served in the defense forces
were given the right to votec) EVERYONE in Australia (over 21) was given the right to voted) Still only people of “European origin” & British Indians wered) Still, only people of European origin & British Indians were
allowed to vote
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
1902: Universal Suffrage (ForSuffrage (For
Women & Men over 21)
1925: Universal Suffrage for Indians
of British Citizenship
1949: Voting rights for Aboriginal Australians
who have served in the defense forces… BUT
THEY WEREN’T ENCOURAGED TO VOTE
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
192 i ll h ( i i h di li i i• 1925: Mitta Bullosh (British Indian man living in Victoria)– I am British! I have the right to vote (under Section
41)!1949 V i i h f Ab i i l A li h• 1949: Voting rights for Aboriginal Australians who have served in the defense forces– They die for their country… why can’t they vote?
• 1960s: Concern about global racial discrimination (in the US and Apartheid South Africa)– What about Aboriginal Australians too??
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
192 i ll h ( i i h di li i i• 1925: Mitta Bullosh (British Indian man living in Victoria)– I am British! I have the right to vote (under Section
41)!1949 V i i h f Ab i i l A li h• 1949: Voting rights for Aboriginal Australians who have served in the defense forces– They die for their country… why can’t they vote?
• 1960s: Concern about global racial discrimination (in the US and Apartheid South Africa)– What about Aboriginal Australians too??
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
1925 Mi B ll h (B i i h I di li i i Vi i )• 1925: Mitta Bullosh (British Indian man living in Victoria)– I am British! I have the right to vote (under Section 41)!
• 1949: Voting rights for Aboriginal Australians who have served in the defense forcesThey die for their country why can’t they vote?– They die for their country… why can t they vote?
• 1960s: Concern about global racial di i i ti (i th US d A th id S thdiscrimination (in the US and Apartheid South Africa)– What about Aboriginal Australians too??
What happened next?
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
1902: Universal Suffrage (ForSuffrage (For
Women & Men over 21)
1925: Universal Suffrage for Indians
of British Citizenship
1949: Voting rights for Aboriginal Australians
who have served in the 1962: Aboriginal defense forces… BUT
THEY WEREN’T ENCOURAGED TO VOTE
Australians over 21 are given the right to vote…
BUT IT IS ONLY VOLUNTARY VOTING NOT
COMPULSORY VOTING
Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians
1902: Universal Suffrage (ForSuffrage (For
Women & Men over 21)
1925: Universal Suffrage for Indians 1984: Aboriginalof British
Citizenship
1984: Aboriginal Australians are finally given the same voting
rights as other Australians1949: Voting rights for Aboriginal Australians
who have served in the 1962: Aboriginal
rights as other Australians
defense forces… BUT THEY WEREN’T
ENCOURAGED TO VOTE
Australians over 21 are given the right to vote…
BUT IT IS ONLY VOLUNTARY VOTING NOT
COMPULSORY VOTING
Is there discrimination in the voting system in Australia today?
There are some issues being debated…
Recent CasesRecent Cases
h i i h f i• The voting rights of Prisoners– Before 2006: Voting was possible for those serving
sentences of 3 years or less– 2006: The voting rights of all prisoners were
revoked– Vickie Lee Roach… The Australian constitution
states that “the Australian parliament should be chosen by all people of Australia”
– Voting rights reinstated for those serving sentences of 3 years or less
However…
Recent Cases / IssuesRecent Cases / Issues
• People with disabilities– People with “intellectual disabilities” p– People with visual impairments not having the right
to vote in secretto vote in secret
• Is voting easy for…– People who are homeless?p– People from non-English speaking backgrounds?
Other IssuesOther Issues
• Reducing the voting age to 16?• Voting rights for permanent residents?Voting rights for permanent residents?• Voting rights for Australians living overseas?
Other points to think aboutOther points to think about…
• Standing for elections & representation in parliament (i.e. becoming a politician)p ( g p )– Do women, Aboriginal Australians, and other
minority groups have equal opportunities andminority groups have equal opportunities and support for this?
Concluding Thoughts…Concluding Thoughts…
Voting is a hard-fought for right h h ld k i lthat we should take more seriously...
Selected ReferencesSelected References• “History of the Indigenous Vote” (AEC)• “History of the Indigenous Vote” (AEC)
http://www.aec.gov.au/pdf/education/resources/history_indigenous_vote.pdf• “Indigenous People and the Vote” (Pet Stretton)
htt // /V ti /i di t / b i i hthttp://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/indigenous_vote/aborigin.htm• “Electoral Milestones for women” (AEC)
http://www.aec.gov.au/elections/australian_electoral_history/milestone.htm“Th i ht t t i t j d ll b ll A t li ” (HREOC)• “The right to vote is not enjoyed equally by all Australians” (HREOC)
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/human_rights/vote/index.html • There are also many informative articles on the history of voting and
elections in Australia at the Australian Electoral Commission “Australianelections in Australia at the Australian Electoral Commission “Australian Electoral History” page
http://aec.gov.au/Elections/Australian_Electoral_History