The campaigners

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Although proponents had been working for ten years towards constitutional reform, the referendum campaign proper got underway immediately the date for the referendum was announced and FCAATSI quickly developed its campaign strategy, establishing its campaign committee at the tenth Annual FCAATSI Conference held in Canberra over the March Easter holiday in 1967. National Campaign Co-Directors were Joe McGinness and Gordon Bryant. State Campaign Directors were Kath Walker QLD, Faith Bandler NSW, Bill Onus VIC, Mr L. Bryan SA, Mr G. Freeman TAS.

The committee was not only keen for constitutional change but hoped for a groundswell of popular support which would inspire further advancements at the policy level and pressure the federal government into taking greater responsibility for Indigenous affairs.

To that end the underlying theme which shaped the campaign was a ‘better deal’ for Indigenous Australians. It underpinned recognition by many non-Indigenous Australians that historically Indigenous peoples had been badly done by and change was long-overdue. Simple catchcries voiced egalitarian demands – “Right the wrongs”, “End discrimination” , “Fair Go for Aborigines” – encompassing broad ideals that in reality would not necessarily be addressed by the proposed constitutional amendments, even if a ‘YES’ vote were to prevail. After all, no specific policy action had been either requested by FCAATSI or promised by the Government.