BeBuyBac Black History Lesson

Thought you learnt the right history at school? Here's the black facts you didn't get....

Here is lesson one, keep checking the Bebuybac blog for regular lessons in Australia's black history.


During the nineteenth century, various English institutions, paved the way and manner to control the people of this country. In 1901 the Australian Constitution enacted, thus giving the Australian Parliament (under s51) the power to make laws for peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to:-

"(xxvi) The people of any race; other than the Aboriginal race in any State, for whom it is deemed necessary to make special laws."

The Australian people were required to vote, (as promoted) to allow the Aboriginal to be counted in the censors and the right to Vote. This referendum resulted in 92% of the population voting yes. for the Australian Constitution to be altered.

The Australian Constitution was altered in 1967 and the words "other than the Aboriginal race in any state" were deleted from the constitution The vast majority of people believed their 'yes' vote will give the Aboriginal the rights to vote, (which it legally did) . How many of you realize that only after the referendum did the Australian Parliament have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government for theAboriginal race? Which leaves open the question, just how many of the indigenous people were prosecuted before 1967 by a government that had no lawful rights to make laws for the Aboriginal people?

Their is growing concern within our community, that the power to protect the people is too
far removed from the elected Government, Parliament. The Law institute Act gives the lawyers the rights to regulate and maintain their own profession and to "protect the people" Considering what has transpired over the years into the current position of our peoples health and well-being, we feel it would be more accountable and assuring if the Government of Australia was obligated by legislation to protect the People of Australia.

Recent matters concerning Australians overseas (such as the David Hicks case) are prime examples of a Government that is not legally obligated to protect the citizens of this country, Guilty or Not, his birth rights were not protected by the Australian Government.

We feel it would be in the best interest of all Australians, if the power to protect the people was not in the hands of the powerful and wealthy private club, a form of union, whose main aim and ambitions may not necessary rest in the best interest and welfare of the Australia people.

Les McDonald, Chief Lore Officer, Aboriginal Embassy Victoria