Louder than one voice
Calendar
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has issued a 2012 calendar commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Indigenous right to vote.
In March 1962 the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 was amended to allow Indigenous Australians to enrol to vote in federal elections, a change which enabled participation in the historic 1967 referendum.
The Louder than one voice calendar includes images of Indigenous community leaders and cultural identities. All are recognised by Indigenous Australians for their achievements and community contributions.
For their part, the calendar participants acknowledge the value of the vote to them personally and are strong advocates of other Indigenous Australians exercising their democratic rights.
The calendar was designed by Indigenous designers from the Sydney-based studio Redback Graphix.
While Indigenous Australians have legal equality in electoral participation, in practice they remain disadvantaged. They are significantly less likely to enrol to vote, less likely to vote, and more likely to vote informally than non-Indigenous Australians.
The AEC established the Indigenous Electoral Participation Program (IEPP) in 2009–10 with the objectives of increasing the electoral knowledge, enrolment and participation of Indigenous people in the electoral process, and decreasing levels of informal voting.
A core component is a face-to-face education program delivered (Australia-wide) by 25 field officers, 18 of whom are Indigenous Australians.
To request copies of the Louder than one voice calendar or to arrange an IEPP information session please email: iepp@aec.gov.au.
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