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Recognising the first Australians in our Constitution |
| 07 September 2011 |
 You might be surprised to learn that our Constitution – the founding legal document of the country - makes no mention of Australia’s first peoples and continues to include a possibility of discrimination on the basis of race.As part of our commitment to close the gap by increasing opportunities and quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Mission Australia is formally supporting a move to change the Commonwealth Constitution - and we’re asking you to join us. Constitutional recognition of Australia’s first peoples is a natural alignment with Mission Australia’s work with Aboriginal clients and job seekers. It is another important step towards national reconciliation, and offers not only a long-overdue legal acknowledgement, but a fundamental level of respect for the first Australians. Changes like this, much like the national apology to the Stolen Generations, are more than symbols – they are meaningful ways to heal a nation and create a greater level of equality. But constitutional change doesn’t come easily. It requires a referendum supported by the majority of Australian’s in the majority of states. Most referenda in Australia have failed. The last referendum that was carried was on 27 May 1967, and it was also about the rights of Aboriginal Australians. It gave the Australian Government the power to make laws for Aboriginal people, and for the first time it included Aboriginal people in the Census, rather than being counted in estimation along with the flora and fauna. The Australian Government has promised to hold a referendum on constitutional recognition either within this term or at the next federal election. This means you will have a direct say on this monumental change to the document that is the basis of our laws and political system. That’s why it’s important everyone is aware of the proposals, the issues and the process for change. The Government has appointed a panel of distinguished Australians to consult with voters and lead a nationwide discussion on this issue. The Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is co-chaired by Professor Mick Dodson and Mr Mark Leibler AC, and includes members of parliament from across the political spectrum, constitutional experts and other leading Australians including Professor Marcia Langdon and Noel Pearson. The panel is accepting submissions until September 30 and is due to advise the Government in December about the options for recognition in the Constitution. You can find out more about the process, the issues, and the Expert Panel here, at the You Me Unity website. You can also post a comment in the forum, make your own submission or encourage others to get involved. Isn’t it time we formally recognised Australia’s first peoples in our Constitution? Further reading:
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