Aboriginal Citizenship Rights in Australia: The 1967 Referendum

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples gained full citizenship rights in 1962, following the historic 1967 referendum where over 90% of Australians voted to amend the constitution.

The referendum removed discriminatory clauses, allowing the federal government to make laws for Indigenous Australians and including them in the national census. While 1962 granted voting rights federally, the 1967 vote was the decisive moment of constitutional recognition and equality.

Note: Some states granted rights earlier, but 1962/1967 marks the national milestone.