Constitutions and Interventions

Last night I attended a forum at the ABC in Sydney: “A Constitution for all Australians – where to next for Indigenous recognition?” It was sponsored by the National Archives of Australia, because 9 July is the anniversary of Queen Victoria’s signing of the Australian Constitution.

The speakers were Professor Mick Dodson AM (ANU), Professor Megan Davis (UNSW), Ms. Alison Page, and Professor Father Frank Brennan AO (ACU). It was an interesting discussion as these four people talked about the work of the Expert Panel on the inclusion of Indigenous people in the Australian Constitution, and what Aboriginal people hope for at this time.

It is clear that Constitutional change will have an important impact on the way First Peoples see themselves and their place in Australian society, which will impact on health and well-being. It is change that is supported by a majority of people, particularly when it comes to recognition of Aboriginal people and the ending of discrimination.

The Federal Government has been slow to respond to the recommendations of the Panel, which is disappointing. There is significant support for Constitutional change, and as Ms. Page said, this is a wave that people need to catch and ride.

Please encourage people to find out about the panel’s recommendations, and encourage your local Federal member to seek a response from the Government.

You can hear the Forum on ABC Radio National, Bright Ideas, Monday 9 July.

On the way to Sydney I read the latest edition of National Indigenous Times. There on the front page was Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra promising that the next step in the protest of Aboriginal people against the Northern Territory Intervention would be an appeal to the High Court. In a disgraceful moment in our history the Government passed its legislation this week to continue this racist intervention, against the wishes of the First Peoples. The High Court may be the next place to act.

This morning I attended a NAIDOC celebration, and was reminded of the courage of those who started and supported the tent Embassy in Canberra, and the impact this had on the struggle for land rights and other issues.

We still have a long way to go to achieve justice for First Peoples, and to build an inclusive and reconciled community. There is a lot to be learned and a lot to do.