Discrimination in the Australian Voting System Foreign Studies B/Academic English B 4 October 2016 Lecture 1

Lecture Overview A brief history of Australia 3 cases of discrimination in Australia’s voting system

A Brief History of Australia

Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia Before 1770 – ______________ were living in Australia for 40,000+ years

Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were living in Australia for 40,000+ years

Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were living in Australia for 40,000+ years 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by _______ explorers

Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were living in Australia for 40,000+ years 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British explorers

Pre-British Settlement Australia Exploration by Europeans until 1812 1606 Willem Janszoon (Dutch) 1606 Luis Váez de Torres (Spanish) 1616 Dirk Hartog (Dutch) 1619 Frederick de Houtman (Dutch) 1644 Abel Tasman (Dutch) 1696 Willem de Vlamingh (Dutch) 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 were living in Australia for 40,000+ years 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British explorers ____ – Australia was settled/colonized by Britain… Australia became a British Colony

Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were living in Australia for 40,000+ years 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British explorers 1788 – Australia was settled/colonized by Britain… Australia became a British Colony

Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were living in Australia for 40,000+ years 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British explorers 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

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 were living in Australia for 40,000+ years 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British explorers 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

Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were living in Australia for 40,000+ years 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British explorers 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 became self-governing and were allowed to create their own constitutions, parliaments and laws  including laws about voting

Colonies of “Australia”

Colonies of “Australia”

Colonies of “Australia” Would it be useful to have a “national government”?? (1880s - 1890s)

Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were living in Australia for 40,000+ years 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British explorers 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

Federalism: Powers are divided between the “Commonwealth” (=national/federal) government and the six State governments.

1 federal election & 6 state elections Federalism: Powers are divided between the “Commonwealth” (=national/federal) government and the six State governments. 7 elections… 1 federal election & 6 state elections

Who should be allowed to vote at “Federal Elections”??

Understanding the history of voting laws in Australia Before 1770 – Aboriginal Australians were living in Australia for 40,000+ years 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by British explorers 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 Remember 1770 1788 1901 1902

Important Dates to Remember 1770 – Australia was “discovered” by Britain 1788 – Australia was “settled” by Britain 1901 – Federalization of Australia 1902 – Commonwealth Franchise Act

Important Points to Remember Before 1901/1902 (pre-federalization) FEDERAL elections? COLONY elections? After 1901/1902 (post-federalization) STATE elections?

Important Points to Remember Before 1901/1902 (pre-federalization) FEDERAL elections? NO COLONY elections? YES After 1901/1902 (post-federalization) FEDERAL elections? COLONY elections? STATE elections?

Important Points to Remember Before 1901/1902 (pre-federalization) FEDERAL elections? NO COLONY elections? YES After 1901/1902 (post-federalization) FEDERAL elections? YES (under FEDERAL LAWS) COLONY elections? NO STATE elections? YES (under STATE LAWS)

Discrimination in the Voting System – 3 Cases

Discrimination in the Voting System Before & After The Commonwealth Franchise Act Property Qualifications Women Aboriginal Australians

Property Qualifications

Property Qualifications Before the Commonwealth Franchise Act??

Property Qualifications 1856: Universal Manhood Suffrage

Property Qualifications 1872 1893 1858 1857 1856: Universal Manhood Suffrage 1896

Property Qualifications After the Commonwealth Franchise Act??

Property Qualifications 1902: Universal Suffrage (No Property Qualifications)

Voting Rights for Women

Voting Rights for Women Women’s Suffrage Movement

Voting Rights for Women Before the Commonwealth Franchise Act??

Voting Rights for Women 1895: Women Given the Right to Vote

Voting Rights for Women 1899 1895: Women Given the Right to Vote

Voting Rights for Women After the Commonwealth Franchise Act??

Voting Rights for Women 1902: Universal Suffrage (For Women & Men over 21) First Federal Election (1901): Only women who had the right to vote in their state could vote

Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians

Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians Before the Commonwealth Franchise Act??

Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians 1856: Universal Manhood Suffrage 1895: Women Given the Right to Vote

Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians Included Aboriginal Australians BUT THEY WERE NOT ENOURAGED TO VOTE 1856: Universal Manhood Suffrage 1895: Women Given the Right to Vote

Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians Included Aboriginal Australians BUT THEY WERE NOT ENOURAGED TO VOTE Some colonies even DENIED ABORIGINAL PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO VOTE ※ 1856: Universal Manhood Suffrage ※ 1895: Women Given the Right to Vote

Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians After the Commonwealth Franchise Act??

Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians The Commonwealth Franchise Act DENIED Aboriginal people, Islanders, and people of Asian and African background the right to vote. (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)!

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)! What happened next? All Aboriginal Australians were given the right to vote All British Indians were given the right to vote EVERYONE in Australia (over 21) was given the right to vote 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)! What happened next? All Aboriginal Australians were given the right to vote All British Indians were given the right to vote EVERYONE in Australia (over 21) was given the right to vote Still, only people of “European origin” were allowed to vote

Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians 1902: Universal Suffrage (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)! 1940s: Voting rights for Aboriginal Australians who 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 Australians who have served in the defense forces They die for their country… why can’t they vote? What happened next? All Aboriginal Australians were given the right to vote All Aboriginal Australians who had served in the defense forces were given the right to vote EVERYONE in Australia (over 21) was given the right to vote 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 Australians who have served in the defense forces They die for their country… why can’t they vote? What happened next? All Aboriginal Australians were given the right to vote All Aboriginal Australians who had served in the defense forces were given the right to vote EVERYONE in Australia (over 21) was given the right to vote Still, only people of “European origin” & British Indians were allowed to vote

Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians 1902: Universal Suffrage (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 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 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 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 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: 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 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?? What happened next?

Towards Voting Rights for Aboriginal Australians 1902: Universal Suffrage (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 1962: Aboriginal 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 (For Women & Men over 21) 1925: Universal Suffrage for Indians of British Citizenship 1984: Aboriginal Australians are finally given the same voting rights as other Australians 1949: Voting rights for Aboriginal Australians who have served in the defense forces… BUT THEY WEREN’T ENCOURAGED TO VOTE 1962: Aboriginal 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 Cases 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

Recent Cases / Issues People with disabilities (visual impairments) The right to “vote in secret” Is voting easy for People who are homeless? People from non-English speaking backgrounds?

Other Issues Reducing the voting age to 16? Voting rights for permanent residents? Voting rights for Australians living overseas?

Other points to think about… Standing for elections & representation in parliament (i.e. becoming a politician) Do women, Aboriginal Australians, and other minority groups have equal opportunities/support for this?

Concluding Thoughts… Voting is a hard-fought for right that we should take more seriously...

Selected References “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)  http://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 “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 “Australian Electoral History” page  http://aec.gov.au/Elections/Australian_Electoral_History