This debate is located in Australia

This debate is located in Australia

Motion

Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders should be recognised in the Australian Constitution as the first peoples.

#Australia #Constitution #Reconciliation

 The People's Forums
 5 years ago

This motion created by The People's Forums

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The Debate

The Constitution is the founding document of our nation and is the pre-eminent source of law.

The Constitution was drafted at a time when Australia was considered a land that belonged to no one before European settlement and when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were considered a 'dying race' not worthy of citizenship or humanity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were excluded from the discussions about the creation of a new nation to be situated on their Ancestral lands and waters. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are not mentioned in the Constitution. The only way we can change the Constitution is if a majority of voters in a majority of states vote YES at a referendum.

A referendum is a vote by Australians over the age of 18, just like voting in an election. Instead of voting on politicians as we do in an election, in a referendum we vote on a specific change to the Constitution.

In a 1967 referendum, over 90% of Australian voters agreed to change our Constitution to give the federal parliament the power to make laws in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to allow for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be included in the census. But this referendum did not recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as first peoples. The Constitution still allows racial discrimination – not just against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples but against anyone.