The Government’s position

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Generally, parliamentary support for the "Aboriginal" question was unanimous, although there was difference of opinion over interpretation of the second part (S 51xxvi) with some questioning whether this was in fact discriminatory: it had been Menzies’ position that the Commonwealth’s inability to legislate specifically for Indigenous peoples was not discriminatory.

For its part the Government had no immediate plans to act upon any demands from FCAATSI for Indigenous advancement upon a successful vote and there were no signals that the Commonwealth would be taking over the States’ role in Indigenous affairs.

During the campaign, then Opposition Leader, Gough Whitlam intimated that the Labour Party would be pressuring the Government to make real changes.

Party Leaders Urge 'YES' vote,
Smoke Signals, December 1967. Courtesy Aborigines Advancement League