A number of Aboriginal groups have used the petition — to monarchs, to the Governor-General and to parliaments — since Tasmanian Aborigines petitioned Queen Victoria in 1846.
Source: Bain Attwood and Andrew Markus, The Struggle for Aboriginal Rights: A Documentary History, Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 1999, pp. 38–39
- Download Petition to King George V, launched 193312.6 kb pdf [ PDF | 12.6 kb ]
Source: Document 11, Bain Attwood and Andrew Markus, 'Thinking black: William Cooper and the Australian Aborigines' League', Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra, 2004, pp. 35–36
- Download Petition, Aboriginal Australian Fellowship, 1957156.4 kb pdf [ PDF | 156.4 kb ]
Source: Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, MS 9377, State Library of Victoria
This was the first of many petitions which the Federal Council for Aboriginal Advancement ran to press for a referendum to get the federal government to accept responsibility in Aboriginal affairs.
Source: Barry Christophers Papers, MS 7992, box 16, National Library of Australia, Canberra
This form was circulated throughout the country during 1962–1963.
Source: Box 16, 'Petition referendum', Barry Christopher Papers, 1951–1981, MS7992/8, National Library of Australia
This petition is from representatives of Yirrkala clans concerning proposed mining of their traditional lands. This version of the Bark Petition contains a copy of the petition. The original petition is in storage to prevent the signatures from fading.
Source: Parliament House, Canberra. Images courtesy National Archives of Australia, Canberra
- Download Equal wages campaign petition, 1965253.3 kb pdf [ PDF | 253.3 kb ]
The Aboriginal weekly wage of three pounds three shillings and three pence a week — about one fifth of the wage paid to other workers.
Source: Barry Christophers Papers, 1951–1981, MS7992/8, National Library of Australia, Canberra
- Download Referendum petition, FCAATSI 1966131.2 kb pdf [ PDF | 131.2 kb ]
This petition was prepared by the Legislative Reform Committee of FCAATSI. It shows the hopes which this committee had for greater Commonwealth involvement in Aboriginal affairs.
Source: Barrie Pittock personal papers
Source: National Library of Australia, Frank Hardy Papers, 4887/73/6
- Download Land rights petition, FCAATSI, 1968163.9 kb pdf [ PDF | 163.9 kb ]
Source: Pittock papers, Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies, Monash University
Written most likely in 1971 this petition draws attention to the failure of government to the power granted to it in 1967.
Source: Barrie Pittock personal papers
Following the passage of the 1967 Referendum campaigners urged the Commonwealth Government to use its powers against state legislation which was inconsistent with Commonwealth laws.
Source: Barry Christophers Papers, MS992/6, National Library of Australia