Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Panel on the Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples has been conducting consultations to talk to as many Australians as possible about how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples could best be recognised in the Constitution.

With the task of gathering the views of Australian people through consultations, submissions, letters and posts on the website www.youmeunity.org.au having concluded on September 30, the panel is now considering those views, but as yet has not formed its views on the options it might recommend to government.

The panel is specifically seeking further views by November 8 on the range of ideas arising from consultations and submissions. The panel will assess these ideas using the following four criteria.

The option must:

• Contribute to a more unified and reconciled nation;
• Be of benefit to and accord with the wishes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples;
• Be capable of being supported by the majority of Australians; and
• Be legally and technically sound.

Follow the link and complete the on-line survey.

The survey will ask you to identify if you are or are not of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and if you are or are not a member of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples. It will also ask how strongly you agree or disagree with a particular idea.

Your response to the survey will help the panel in its deliberations about what it will recommend to the government.

You Me Unity is the national conversation about updating our constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture for the benefit of all Australians. See its Facebook page here.