Posted by Andrew Bartlett under Indigenous Issues
John Howard’s announcement in a speech to the Sydney Institute that – if re-elected - he will seek to hold a referendum to formally recognise indigenous Australians in our Constitution is unexpected, but I think it is very welcome.
I’ve already seen comment brimming with cynicism about this announcement, suggesting it’s a pre-election stunt or even a way to keep the Prime Ministership away from Peter Costello for more than half of the next term if he does manage to get re-elected.
Personally, I couldn’t care less what his other motivations might be. And of course it would have been better if he’d tried to do something like this ages ago. But it’s still a good step, albeit only a first step, towards implementing just one measure amongst the many needed to properly recognise and respect the unique role the First Australians play in our nation’s past, present and future.
Full post at The Bartlett Diaries
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