Achieving constitutional recognition

Constitutional Recognition Panel member Josephine Bourne (second from left) and members of the East Gippsland Aboriginal community (from left) Glenis Solomon, Dot Moffatt, Flo Hood and Sandra Chester. Bairnsdale forum, VIC, 2011.

The Australian Government is providing $10 million in funding to continue to build public awareness and community support for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.

Constitutional recognition is a significant step towards recognising the unique and special place of our first peoples.

The Australian Government is committed to building momentum for change and understands that the support of the majority of Australians will be crucial for a successful referendum.

 This important work will be led by Reconciliation Australia, supported by a reference group of business and community groups, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the National Congress of Australia’s First People and members of the Expert Panel. 

Read the joint media release.

Find out more about constitutional recognition.

• 

  Constitutional recognition report handed to Prime Minister

  19 January 2012
• 

  Using art to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander vote...

  12 December 2011
• 

  Newslines Radio: First steps of National Congress

  1 August 2011
• 

  Census puts communities in the picture

  14 July 2011
• 

  New website promotes discussion about constitutional recognition

  19 May 2011
• 

  Megan Davis participates in United Nations forum

  17 May 2011
• 

  Angurugu teamwork

  13 May 2011
• 

  Indigenous leadership goes from strength to strength

  2 May 2011

Find out more

Governance and Leadership form one of the building blocks in the Closing the Gap strategy, agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). It recognises that Indigenous people, organisations and communities need the capacity to shape their own futures.

The Australian Government has supported the establishment of a new representative body, the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, to help represent Indigenous issues to government.

Indigenous women, men and young people can access leadership development programs through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Leadership training and capacity building are also an important part of the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Service Delivery.

In December 2010 the Australian Government appointed an expert panel of Indigenous and community leaders, constitutional experts and parliamentary members to advise it on how best to recognise Indigenous Australians in Australia’s Constitution. The Government is now considering the panel’s recommendations before determining the best way forward. For more information visit the You Me Unity website.

The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations supports capacity building for Indigenous corporations and Reconciliation Australia, with BHP Billiton, sponsors the annual Indigenous Governance Awards.

For more information on Indigenous leadership, go to:

• Leadership & Representation at the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
• Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre
• The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence.