under Section 3 of this act. The provision on female suffrage was subject to lengthy debate. Some politicians were concerned that allowing women to vote would discriminate in favour of married men, since, in the words of Sir Edward Braddon, "the married man, happy in his family, whose wife's vote is one which he can command… will have two votes." Much of the opposition to the granting of women's suffrage in the act was grounded in the belief that, in the words of William Knox, "the main ambition of a woman's life should be to become the wife of an honorable and honest man." However, there was much support for granting the vote to women, and the bill was approved by large majorities in both houses of parliament. Racial restrictions The Barton government originally intended that Aboriginal Australians should have the right to vote in federal elections, but the proposal met strong opposition in parliament. Senator George Pearce argued that pastoralists in areas with large Indigenous populations could manipulate Indigenous people to vote for particular candidates. Most of the opponents of an Indigenous federal franchise, however, claimed that Aboriginal Australians were not fit to vote in elections or stand for parliament. During the parliamentary debates over the Act, King O'Malley said, "An Aboriginal is not as intelligent as a Māori. There is no scientific evidence that he is a human being at all." The bill was amended in light of this opposition and the act disqualified natives of Australia, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands (except New Zealand Māori ) from voting in federal elections, unless they were entitled under section 41 of the constitution. The exclusion of "coloured" immigrants from the franchise was in line with the White Australia policy which had widespread parliamentary and community support. The exception for Māori was supported by parliamentarians on the grounds that Māori had the vote in New Zealand and were "highly civilised". Related laws The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1902 established a First-past-the-post voting system, postal voting and absent voting at the federal level. In 1908, a permanent electoral roll was established and in 1911, it became compulsory for all eligible voters to enroll on the electoral roll. Compulsory enrolment led to a large increase in voter turnout, even though voting was still voluntary. From 1912, elections have been held on Saturdays. See also Maori voting rights in Australia Voting rights of