MuseumsDemocracy

South Australia's world firsts in voting and rights celebrated at the Centre for Democracy gallery in Adelaide city

South Australia's world firsts in voting and rights celebrated at the Centre for Democracy gallery in Adelaide city
A rolling electronic display at the Centre for Democracy Gallery on North Terrace Adelaide, features state and federal identities in the history of government.

South Australia’s world lead in democratic voting rights, Indigenous and social reform was celebrated in the Centre of Democracy Gallery opened in the Institute Building, corner of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue, Adelaide.

Run by the History Trust of South Australia and open free to the public, the centre highlighted South Australia being the first Australian colonies to allow all men, including Aboriginals, to vote in parliamentary elections, in 1856. Voting was carried out via secret ballot, a system that gave birth to the modern ballot box process used around the world today.

South Australia became the first place in the British empire to legalise trade unions in 1876. It revolutionised modern workplace, giving workers the rights to demand better working conditions, outlawing child labour and forcing sweatshops to close.

In 1894, second only to New Zealand, South Australia legislated for women (including Aboriginal women) the right to vote in elections. The extra world-leading right they were given was to stand for election to parliament. Women filled the polling stations in 1896 to exercise their right to cast a ballot in that election.

Don Dunstan, South Australian premier through the 1970s, brought a rush of social reform to state parliament. His government introduced consumer legislation, anti-race and sex discrimination legislation, lowered the voting age, decriminalised homosexuality and supported the women's liberation movement. Dunstan is also remembered for his iconic bright pink shorts worn to Parliament House in 1972. The shorts were displayed at the Centre for Democracy.

In 1966, South Australia again broke ranks to establish the Aboriginal Lands Trust that opened the way for land rights legislation and handing over significant portions of South Australia's land mass to its Aboriginal owners.

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