Promoting recognition of Indigenous peoples in the Australian Constitution

The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin today joined with Reconciliation South Australia in Adelaide to launch a kit to help promote constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.

The Gillard Government is committed to recognising Indigenous people in Australia’s constitution and wants meaningful reform that reflects the hopes and aspirations of Indigenous people and that unites the nation.

To ensure that we continue to build momentum for constitutional change the Government has invested $10 million towards work being led by Reconciliation Australia to build public awareness and community support for change.

The kit launched today has been developed by You Me Unity as part of the work being led by Reconciliation Australia and is designed to be used by Members of Parliament to help them build awareness of constitutional recognition in their own electorates and communities.

Minister Macklin also announced that Reconciliation South Australia would receive $50,000 to build awareness in South Australia of constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.

This is one of a series of grants being provided to community groups as part of the Government’s $10 million funding to build public awareness and community support for constitutional change.

Constitutional recognition is an important step towards building a nation based on strong relations and mutual respect, which recognises the unique and special place of our first peoples.

The Government does not underestimate the challenge of achieving nation-wide consensus.

A preliminary report prepared for the Government by Reconciliation Australia has found that only 39 per cent of non-Indigenous Australians have heard about a proposed referendum.

The Australian Government has previously announced it will ask the Parliament to pass an Act of Recognition acknowledging the unique and special place of our first peoples.

This Act will be an important step towards holding a successful referendum to change the constitution to recognise Indigenous people.

The Government encourages all Australians to learn more and get involved in building support for constitutional change. Visit www.youmeunity.org.au for more information.