Short Speech: How Has Aboriginal Citzenship Changed Since 1901

At the beginning of the Commonwealth of Australia?s history, Aborigines were not counted as citizens. Section 127 of the constitution stated, ?in reckoning the numbers of the people of the Commonwealth or of a State or other part of the Commonwealth, aboriginal natives shall not be counted?. This meant they did not vote, they did not pay taxes and they could not hold Government Jobs. In many facets their rights became significantly less over the …

…points of activism was over land rights. Aborigines wanted land owned y their ancestors to be returned. The law stated that the land had been terra nullius i.e. land belonging to no-one. In many cases land was given back, or compensation was rewarded. This was much-needed recognition for the original inhabitants of Australia. Now all Aborigines are counted in the census, are allowed to look after their own children, vote and receive family benefits.