This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/04/bill-shorten-calls-for-finalising-of-referendum-question-on-indigenous-voice-in-parliament
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bill Shorten calls for finalising of referendum question on Indigenous voice in parliament | Bill Shorten calls for finalising of referendum question on Indigenous voice in parliament |
| (6 days later) | |
| Bill Shorten has called for the immediate establishment of a joint parliamentary select committee to finalise a referendum question on enshrining an Indigenous voice in the federal parliament. | Bill Shorten has called for the immediate establishment of a joint parliamentary select committee to finalise a referendum question on enshrining an Indigenous voice in the federal parliament. |
| The opposition leader wrote to Malcolm Turnbull proposing the bipartisan parliamentary process on the eve of the annual Garma festival in north-east Arnhem Land, and said the body could also “clarify” other proposals put forward by the constitutional dialogues this year. | The opposition leader wrote to Malcolm Turnbull proposing the bipartisan parliamentary process on the eve of the annual Garma festival in north-east Arnhem Land, and said the body could also “clarify” other proposals put forward by the constitutional dialogues this year. |
| Turnbull and Shorten are expected to attend, as well as Indigenous leaders and professionals including Galarrwuy Yunupingu, Noel Pearson, Megan Davis and Marcia Langton to discuss Indigenous affairs. | Turnbull and Shorten are expected to attend, as well as Indigenous leaders and professionals including Galarrwuy Yunupingu, Noel Pearson, Megan Davis and Marcia Langton to discuss Indigenous affairs. |
| The theme of this year’s Garma is Makarata – the Yolngu word for coming together after a struggle – and much of the four-day forum is devoted to discussions around constitutional reform, following the recommendations by the Referendum Council earlier this month to establish an Indigenous parliamentary voice. | The theme of this year’s Garma is Makarata – the Yolngu word for coming together after a struggle – and much of the four-day forum is devoted to discussions around constitutional reform, following the recommendations by the Referendum Council earlier this month to establish an Indigenous parliamentary voice. |
| In his letter, Shorten cemented Labor’s support for the council’s proposal, which he said “clearly reflects the legitimate, long-held aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for a greater say in the issues that affect their lives”. | In his letter, Shorten cemented Labor’s support for the council’s proposal, which he said “clearly reflects the legitimate, long-held aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for a greater say in the issues that affect their lives”. |
| “As the nation’s political leaders, we have a duty to our First Nations to do all that we can to give meaning to their aspirations,” he said. | “As the nation’s political leaders, we have a duty to our First Nations to do all that we can to give meaning to their aspirations,” he said. |
| Shorten said the best chance of success for any constitutional recognition of Indigenous people was to ensure their active engagement in the process. | Shorten said the best chance of success for any constitutional recognition of Indigenous people was to ensure their active engagement in the process. |
| “To that end, I propose we establish a bipartisan, parliamentary process for working through the necessary detail so that a question can be finalised and that the other proposals that came from Uluru, a Makarata commission and a truth telling process, can be clarified and advanced.” | “To that end, I propose we establish a bipartisan, parliamentary process for working through the necessary detail so that a question can be finalised and that the other proposals that came from Uluru, a Makarata commission and a truth telling process, can be clarified and advanced.” |
| He suggested the committee consult with Indigenous representatives and work with constitutional experts to develop a referendum question and advise the parliament on a timeline for a referendum and other issues, reporting back by the end of the year. | He suggested the committee consult with Indigenous representatives and work with constitutional experts to develop a referendum question and advise the parliament on a timeline for a referendum and other issues, reporting back by the end of the year. |
| “I also propose that a small group of Indigenous leaders be confirmed at Garma to act as a formal advisory group to the parliamentary committee throughout this process,” he said. | “I also propose that a small group of Indigenous leaders be confirmed at Garma to act as a formal advisory group to the parliamentary committee throughout this process,” he said. |
| Upon delivery of the council’s recommendation, Turnbull did not provide an immediate commitment, instead noting it was a “big new idea” in the debate, which was nonetheless worthy of consideration. The “newness” of the proposal was also flagged in a dissenting report by council member Amanda Vanstone. | Upon delivery of the council’s recommendation, Turnbull did not provide an immediate commitment, instead noting it was a “big new idea” in the debate, which was nonetheless worthy of consideration. The “newness” of the proposal was also flagged in a dissenting report by council member Amanda Vanstone. |
| The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner, June Oscar, is scheduled to address Garma on Friday, and is expected to use her speech to urge action by the federal government. | The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner, June Oscar, is scheduled to address Garma on Friday, and is expected to use her speech to urge action by the federal government. |
| “This call [for a national body representing Indigenous Australians] may be new in constitutional terms but it is a call that has its origins well before the constitution was ever created,” a preview of Oscar’s speech said. | “This call [for a national body representing Indigenous Australians] may be new in constitutional terms but it is a call that has its origins well before the constitution was ever created,” a preview of Oscar’s speech said. |
| “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have sought greater control over our destinies, for the ability to live freely and equally, and for greater recognition of our rights as the First Peoples of this land since the arrival of the British on our shores in 1788. This has been an unresolved source of friction.” | “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have sought greater control over our destinies, for the ability to live freely and equally, and for greater recognition of our rights as the First Peoples of this land since the arrival of the British on our shores in 1788. This has been an unresolved source of friction.” |
| The Uluru statement was based on a series of Indigenous community dialogues around the country, but did not include any recommendation to alter the constitution’s race powers – which allow for legislating native title and Aboriginal heritage, but also allowed the government to make discriminatory laws. The exclusion has caused concern even among supporters of the Indigenous voice proposal. | The Uluru statement was based on a series of Indigenous community dialogues around the country, but did not include any recommendation to alter the constitution’s race powers – which allow for legislating native title and Aboriginal heritage, but also allowed the government to make discriminatory laws. The exclusion has caused concern even among supporters of the Indigenous voice proposal. |
| Oscar is expected to say changes to the race powers would not have prevented the Northern Territory intervention, the effects of which people are “still reeling from”. | Oscar is expected to say changes to the race powers would not have prevented the Northern Territory intervention, the effects of which people are “still reeling from”. |
| “Indigenous peoples do not feel there is a way the current political system can guarantee racially discriminatory laws will be directed at them in the future,” said her speech. | “Indigenous peoples do not feel there is a way the current political system can guarantee racially discriminatory laws will be directed at them in the future,” said her speech. |
| “An Indigenous body gives us an opportunity to address this flaw, and to elevate our voices in a country where we are a minority and occupy a space on the fringe of government policy.” | “An Indigenous body gives us an opportunity to address this flaw, and to elevate our voices in a country where we are a minority and occupy a space on the fringe of government policy.” |
| Oscar’s speech will also address the disparity of Indigenous peoples’ interactions with the justice system, and express disgust at the reaction of some Australians to the death of Elijah Doughty in Kalgoorlie and the treatment of juvenile detainees in the Northern Territory. | Oscar’s speech will also address the disparity of Indigenous peoples’ interactions with the justice system, and express disgust at the reaction of some Australians to the death of Elijah Doughty in Kalgoorlie and the treatment of juvenile detainees in the Northern Territory. |
| Elijah. 14, was killed when a man chased him and ran over him with a ute. The man, whose identity has been suppressed, was acquitted of manslaughter but plead guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to three years in jail. | Elijah. 14, was killed when a man chased him and ran over him with a ute. The man, whose identity has been suppressed, was acquitted of manslaughter but plead guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to three years in jail. |
| “Unfortunately, these events have laid bare some of the uglier truths about our society. I can’t believe that the reaction to Elijah’s death has been met with some people in our country entertaining even for a second that this is appropriate treatment of a child – or any human being.” | “Unfortunately, these events have laid bare some of the uglier truths about our society. I can’t believe that the reaction to Elijah’s death has been met with some people in our country entertaining even for a second that this is appropriate treatment of a child – or any human being.” |