Rights and freedoms (1945-present)

On 27 May 1967, Australians voted in a referendum to change how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were referred to in the Constitution. Explore these personal stories, opinions and historical recordings of what happened.

How far have we come since 1967?

The State Library of South Australia contributed these items to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's project The 1967 Referendum, Our Constitution and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lives which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum. This project looks at the significance of this event for the civil rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Explore other resources related to the 1967 referendum, the Aboriginal civil rights movement and recent campaigns for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander constitutional recognition, and the 2023 Referendum regarding a Voice to Parliament in our Aboriginal Australia - Referendums and Recognition research guide.