On Wednesday, the 30th of August, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australians on the 14th of October 2023 will decide whether they want to change the constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait island people rights, reports Reuters.
While revealing the date for the significant referendum, the Prime Minister recognized its pivotal role in the indigenous rights movement within the country. He depicted it as
an exceptional occasion to foster national unity, LABELLING the 14th of October as a moment for acknowledging Australia’s positive qualities.
Albanese compared the journey of indigenous people to a marathon and urged the entire nation to push it toward the finish line.
Australians will engage in a six-week campaign preceding the referendum. The referendum will inquire whether they endorse a constitutional amendment enabling the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples’ Committee, known as the Voice to Parliament. This committee’s purpose is to offer advice to the Federal Parliament on matters concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait island communities.
In contrast to other developed nations, Australia’s treatment of its indigenous population remains less progressive. With indigenous peoples comprising approximately 3.2% of the country’s nearly 26 million inhabitants, there is no treaty, and indigenous people tend to score below national averages across various socio-economic indicators.
The government has put a lot on the referendum’s success.
Major sports groups, corporations, religious bodies, and welfare organizations endorse it. Yet, the subject is contentious, with recent polls indicating diminishing support.
Advocates campaign that a favourable vote would
strengthen relations with the Aboriginal community, fostering national unity.
Opponents argue that it
COULD exacerbate RACE SPLITS AND GIVE UNREASONABLE POLITICAL POWER TO Indigenous body.
The initiative lacks cross-party backing; the opposition Liberal Party intends to oppose it, although some party leaders, including former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, express support.
In order to change the Australian Constitution, a national referendum must take place. To pass, it needs a “double majority” – the support of more than 50% of the country’s electorate and a majority of votes in at least four of the six states.
ONLY EIGHT OUT OF 44 PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN 19 REFERENDUMS.
The last referendum attempt in 1999, aimed at establishing Australia as a republic, was unsuccessful.
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