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Behind the Lines

Empathy Coach? Who Needs 'Em?

Scott Morrison walks away from a bin throwing a document called, 'Uluru Statement from the Heart' into it. Morrison says, 'It's the "From the Heart" bit I just can't relate to...'

Fiona Katauskas
4 May 2022

The Uluru Statement from the Heart was delivered in 2017 to then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The Statement included a call for ‘a First Nations Voice to Parliament’, which was rejected by Turnbull. Soon afterwards, a spill saw Scott Morrison take over as prime minister. Morrison reiterated the rejection, saying the Voice to Parliament would establish an unwanted ‘third chamber’. Throughout his tenure in office, he continued to rule out the possibility of a referendum on this issue. 

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1951: Communists and communism referendum

1951: Communists and communism referendum

In the 1951 referendum, Australia voted no on banning Communist ideology by the barest of margins.

The Museum of Australian Democracy acknowledges Australia's First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We respectfully acknowledge the role that First Nations people continue to play in shaping Australia's democracy. We also acknowledge the Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the region in which MoAD is located.

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