Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was elected last year, wants a constitutional review called “A Voice to Parliament” to be adopted in a referendum by the end of the year and would involve the creation of an Aboriginal advisory council.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has today denounced a “campaign of fear” by those opposed to the Labor government’s plan to include in the country’s Constitution, through a referendum, the right of Aboriginal people to express their opinion on the issues that affect them.
Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was elected last year, wants a constitutional review called “A Voice to Parliament” to be adopted in a referendum by the end of the year and would involve the creation of an Aboriginal advisory council.
The said council will give an opinion on the matters concerning this minority.
Australia’s first inhabitants, Aborigines are not mentioned in the 1901 Constitution and have seen their rights usurped over the centuries.
A poll of 1,150 voters last week on the proposed plan found that less than half of Australians support the plan, with 47 per cent “no” to 43 per cent “yes”, with 10 % to declare undecided.
To pass, the revision of the Australian Constitution must receive a majority of positive votes, across the country and in most states.
Opposition Liberal Party leader Peter Duttonwho has declared his intention to scuttle the plan, says A Voice to Parliament could “change our whole system of government”.
Opponents of the plan argue that the proposed reform is divisive, lacks detail, and adds unnecessary red tape.
False claims are circulating online, with some falsely claiming Australians are at risk of losing their land if the referendum is “yes”.
Supporters say the review could address inequalities faced by Aboriginal Australians.
More than 200 years after British colonialism and subsequent persecution of Aboriginal people, these populations are more likely to live in poverty, have a low level of education, be more exposed to disease and be incarcerated.
Aboriginal people today represent about 3.2% of the 26 million Australians. They have inhabited Australia for around 65,000 years, but have suffered various forms of discrimination, oppression and abuse since the beginning of British colonialism in the 18th century.
“It is an opportunity to have constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesAlbanese said.
Source :Skai
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