POLL: Should Australia's Constitution recognise indigenous people as the first inhabitants?
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Should Australia recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first inhabitants in the constitution?
VOTE YES OR NO NOW AT THIS LINK
By TESS IKONOMOU
Prime Minister Tony Abbott recently rejected proposals by indigenous leaders for a process of indigenous consultations on constitutional recognition before broader community consultations took place.
The Prime Minister cited a mentality divide of “them and us”, as his reasons for wanting to hold back. He said he believed it would be “unlikely to receive general support”.
The decision disappointed not only Indigenous leaders but also industry leaders around the country.
Crown Resorts billionaire chairman James Packer expressed his disappointment to the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I believe Australia cannot be truly reconciled without recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders," he said.
Indigenous leader Noel Pearson told Lateline talks between Indigenous leaders and political representatives were “largely redundant”.
The referendum held in 1967 removed two areas of discrimination, and allowed the Commonwealth to make laws for Aborigines (rather than being dealt with at state level) and to include them in the census. It passed resoundingly with just over 90 per cent of the electorate voting "yes".
Should Australia recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first inhabitants in the constitution?
VOTE YES OR NO NOW AT THIS LINK
