Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Until the 1960s, Indigenous Australians - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander - were denied rights and access to legal system and excluded from formal participation in the political process. They were not counted in population censuses, could not serve in court or testify in court. In most cases, the government treated the indigenous people as if they did not exist. In 1962, Indigenous people were given the right to vote in Commonwealth elections and gradually things began to change and laws enacted by states in past years were repealed or amended. However, it was not until the 1967 referendum that indigenous people were granted the right to vote and be counted in censuses. Today, although many of the legal barriers to equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been removed, it is questionable whether Indigenous people will continue to do so. they do not enjoy the same status before the law that non-Indigenous Australians enjoy in practice. They are, however, legally recognized by the state under civil law, criminal law, international law as well as its own indigenous customary law. Civil Law Historically, Indigenous Australians had virtually no access to the legal system and were considered minors under civil law, so their legal rights were limited. In Queensland in 1962, Indigenous Australians could not enter into contracts, withdraw money from their bank accounts, start a business or make a will without official permission. .... middle of paper ... The lobbying and picketing activities that were successful in recognizing the needs of the indigenous population were the massive marches that took place to demand that the government recognize the land rights of indigenous peoples. Although land rights were not officially won until 1992 with the Mabo v. QLD case, protests and lobbying attracted public attention and forced non-Indigenous Australians to take notice, if they were not already aware. aware. One of the things that made land rights lobbying so effective is that, as when Indigenous people campaigned for their right to vote, it wasn't just Indigenous people marching for their rights: it was also non-Indigenous Australians from all different socio-economic, racial, cultural and religious backgrounds. marched with them.