CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION OF ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIANS

NOW IS THE TIME FOR ACTION!

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are currently excluded from the Australian Constitution. Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal Australians is on the political agenda. Supporting constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people is another step towards advancing Australia’s Reconciliation Agenda.

To change the Constitution, the majority of voters in a majority of States/Territories plus a majority nation-wide need to vote in favour of constitutional change.

This means 50% plus YOU.

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Why this?

The Australian Constitution was not written as a people’s Constitution. In fact, it was drafted without the input of women or of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.

The current state of the Constitution does not reflect Aboriginal peoples’ prior occupation of Australia, custodianship of land, waters and sea, or their contribution to our nation’s history.   Aboriginal people have sought constitutional recognition of their rights and legal legitimacy for decades.  

Why now?

In December 2010 the Australian Government, with the support of the Opposition, the Greens and Independent members of Parliament, appointed an Expert Panel on constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians. 

The Panel's task is to consult with the community and make recommendations by December 2011 on options for constitutional change that could be placed before the Australian people at a future national referendum proposed to occur in the next 3 years.

Why is Anglicare involved?

Australia’s Constitution, as well as being the basis for all of Australia’s laws, reflects our nation’s values, its idea of itself.  Anglicare believes that Aboriginal peoples - as the world’s oldest continuing culture and the original custodians of these lands and seas - must form a key part of that idea. 

Anglicare SA is committed to constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people.  Anglicare SA is committed to a Reconciliation agenda.

Why should you respond?

To change the Constitution, this means Australians will need to vote in a Referendum proposed to occur in the next 3 years.  In Australia’s history, only eight out of 44 referendums to change the Constitution have succeeded.  

To succeed, this means a majority of voters in a majority of States/Territories plus a majority nation-wide need to vote in favour of the proposed changes nation-wide need to vote in favour of the proposed changes.

To achieve success, what is needed is a people’s movement similar to that in 2000 when one million Australians demonstrated their support for Reconciliation.  

Get involved! We encourage you to get behind this campaign, understand the issues, and tell others about it!

What can you do?

Join the movement : Sign up to Anglicare SA’s campaign for Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal People

Get involved: Complete the online surveys

Have your say: Join us in attending the Adelaide consultation of the expert panel – register with us if you would like to be part of the Anglicare SA group attending.

For more information...

Download our factsheet

Invite an Anglicare speaker to speak about the issues at your workplace, school, church or community group

Register to be part of our group visits to MPs and Senators in September/October

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