Who did not have the right to vote at the time of federation

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History

Zachariah Gross

5 December, 16:11

Who did not have the right to vote at the time of federation

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Answers (2)

Know the Answer?

Sonny Collins · Answer 1

Asians, Africans and Pacific Islanders did not have the right to vote at the time of federation

Jazlene Espinoza · Answer 2

Australians, Asians, Africans, Pacific Islanders except New Zealand.

Explanation:

'Disqualification of colored races. No aboriginal native of Australia, Asia, Africa or the Islands of the Pacific except New Zealand shall be entitled to have his name placed on an Electoral Roll unless so entitled under section forty-one of the Constitution.'

Clause 4, Commonwealth Franchise Act, 1902.

At the 1903 federal election, in accordance with the new law, many women were able to vote, and stand for parliament, for the first time. People who did not own property were eligible to vote for both Houses of Parliament. But Indigenous Australians and 'natives' of Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands (with the exception of New Zealand) were not allowed to vote because of their race.

In theory, on the basis of section 41 of the Constitution, this rule did not apply to people in the excluded categories if they were entitled to vote in State elections.