Australian s Constitution The Founding Political And...

Australian’s Constitution is the founding political and legal document of our nation. It underpins the system of government and the federal laws by which our country is run. The Constitution was written over a century ago and was shaped by the values and beliefs of the time, the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people were not recognised at all. In fact the only mention of the Indigenous people was to exclude them. Most Australian people in society today would be shocked to know that the Constitution actually allows discrimination against the Indigenous people. Since Indigenous people are still not recognised in the Constitution there is growing support for the Constitution to be amended in order to recognise the Indigenous people of†¦show more content†¦The section will also pay respect to culture, language and heritage, and state that the government can only make laws to the benefit of Aboriginal people. †¢ Change section 116 to specifically prohibit racial discrimination for all Australians. This will forbid any government from discriminating against a person based on race, colour, ethnicity or national origin. †¢ Amend section 127 for recognition of languages and to acknowledge and protect the role that languages have in Aboriginal communities (Australian Government, 2015. Constitutional reform: FAQs - Towards a successful referendum) There is no specific reference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia s constitution. Advocates argue recognition of Indigenous Australians in the founding document is vital, both symbolically and practically. By amending the constitution the nation will advance further along the road to reconciliation, this act based on the respect for the dignity and humanity of the Indigenous people will form a crucial part in moving towards a reconciled Australia (Australian Government, 2015). In all of Australia’s history there has never been a moment in which our nation has formally recognised the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people as the first people of this country. During the referendums that may occur to alter the constitution the