New website promotes discussion about constitutional recognition

A new website is offering a host of avenues for Australians to get involved and have their say about the constitutional recognition of Australia’s First Peoples.
The You Me Unity website is part of a comprehensive national conversation on constitutional recognition led by an Expert Panel appointed by the Australian Government.

The Constitution is the basis for Australia’s laws and political system. It represents the values that define the nation.

A lot has changed since the Constitution was written in 1901.

Nowadays many Australians would be surprised to know that the Constitution still includes the possibility for discrimination based on race, and ignores Australia’s First Peoples and their role as custodians of the world’s oldest continuing culture.

The Australian people have the power to update the Constitution through a referendum so that it better reflects their shared values.

By December 2011, after a period of consideration, discussion and consultation with all Australians, the Expert Panel will advise the government about the options for improving the Constitution to reflect modern Australian values and, for the first time, formally recognising the unique place of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples in the history of Australia.