Human rights: Parliament in Australia for referendum on Aboriginal rights

Human rights: Parliament in Australia for referendum on Aboriginal rights

The indigenous people of Australia are still fighting for their land rights to this day – it was only in 1967 that they were even granted civil rights. Now they could soon be given a voice in Parliament.

In Australia, the planned referendum on a constitutional amendment that would give indigenous people a voice in parliament is approaching. The Canberra House of Representatives voted by a large majority in favor of the “Voice to Parliament” referendum on Wednesday. 121 MPs voted in favor, 25 mainly conservative politicians against, as reported by the broadcaster 9News.

After the announcement of the result, there was great applause in Parliament. Australian Attorney General Mark Dreyfus spoke of a “fantastic result” on social networks. Giving Aboriginal people a political voice will not only make a difference on health issues, education and housing, Minister for Indigenous Australia Linda Burney wrote on Twitter.

There is no date for the referendum yet, but it will probably take place in October or November. However, the Senate, as the second chamber of parliament, must first agree to this.

The amendment to the constitution is about a body of indigenous Australians advising the government on issues relating to the country’s indigenous people. Members are to be nominated by Aboriginal officials and not by the government. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pushed ahead with the “voice referendum” after his election victory in May 2022.

Indigenous people in Australia continue to be marginalized by large sections of the white majority. According to the National Museum, Aborigines settled the red continent 65,000 years ago. For many decades, following the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in January 1788 and the subsequent colonization of the continent, Aboriginal children were snatched from their parents. The so-called “stolen generation” had to grow up in foster homes or with white families.

The indigenous people are not mentioned in the country’s constitution, passed in 1901. They were only granted civil rights in 1967. To this day, the Aborigines are fighting for recognition of their land rights.

Source: Stern

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