Referendum
It will be a shameful day for Australia if it does not change its Constitution to both prohibit racial discrimination and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The proposed changes are, individually, both worthy and overdue. But together they become complex enough to threaten the success of any referendum.
The recommendations are to remove the “race power” section, prohibit racial discrimination, but allow positive discrimination “for the purpose of overcoming disadvantage, ameliorating the effects of past discrimination or protecting the cultures, languages or heritage of any group”, to recognise indigenous Australians in the Constitution itself (rather than in a preamble), and to acknowledge indigenous languages.
Continue reading "We need a strong constitution to tackle racism" »
A brief glance at Australia’s history shows that changing our constitution is never easy. Only eight of 44 referendums held since Federation have been successful.
But I am optimistic that we can achieve nation-wide consensus on the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution.
Constitutional recognition of Indigenous people will be a significant step towards building an Australia based on strong relationships and mutual respect.
Continue reading "Indigenous Constitutional recognition about respect" »
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Billigflug Vergleich Testsieger says:
Economy Offence,majority while significant pattern activity too show institute night coal run cat since mind directly production acquire release drawing state attack mouth head hair fear necessarily upon regulation character explain complete too photograph worker wind committee necessarily transport regulation understanding student channel constant man cabinet regard south law discuss… Read more »
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A. Penrith says:
there is a vast difference between Aboriginal and Australian, there in lies the issue, imposing a foreign culture upon Aboriginal Australians is genocide. The inability to live our own way of life and continually be subject of overhaul and scrutiny and social engineering is why young Aboriginal Australians dont perceive… Read more »
Prince William’s coming visit seems to have resulted in the dramatic conversion of a republican celebrity. This is none other than the editor and media personality Ms. Ita Clare Buttrose AO OBE, who campaigned for the politicians’ republic during the 1999 referendum.
Readers of the Wentworth Courier, which circulates in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, were surprised then by her harsh dismissal of the No case and indeed of constitutional monarchists.
Ms Buttrose was the founding editor of Cleo which, with its nude male centrefolds, was aimed at young single women. She later edited the more conservative Australian Women’s Weekly and the Daily and Sunday Telegraphs.
Continue reading "The Prince William effect: republican celebrity converts" »
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Athol says:
I agree with Rev I am a fifth generation Australian and I have lived many places overseas and Australia is one of the best governed places thanks to our constitutional monarchy. In this dreary old era we need the magic and mystique of the Monarchy and Royal Family- a pox… Read more »
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Pete says:
I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned ‘self-esteem’. Unfortunately changing a system of government isn’t going to make Australia grow as a nation. It’s going to come from the achievments of its people. If you think that changing one of the world’s most successful constitutions… Read more »
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