Indigenous recognition in the Constitution can only succeed if there is a 'mood of change' in the Australian community, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.
In an interview with NITV News presenter Natalie Ahmat, Ms Gillard says that while she supports constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people, the whole nation needs to get behind the idea for it to succeed.
“I don't think this idea is the property of any politician or any government,” she says. “I think this idea is really something for the whole nation. There has to be a mood of change in the Australian community.
The federal government in September put on hold plans for a referendum to constitutionally acknowledge Indigenous Australians until there was more community awareness and support.
Ms Gillard says it would be devastating if the proposal didn't succeed.
“Australia's history with referendum proposals has not been a happy one,” she says.
“Everybody realises that it would break hearts around the nation if a proposal went to a vote and wasn't carried – which is why we are working to make sure all of the campaigning happens in local communities to create that groundswell for change.”
That 'groundswell' is already happening though, with the federal government introducing an 'act of recognition' bill late November.
The bill has a two-year sunset clause which Ms Gillard says would help continue momentum towards a fruitful and successful change in the constitution.
“There is a two-year sunset clause,” she tells NITV. “So whatever happens at the next election, there is continued progress towards constitutional recognition.
“I do want to see us shape up a Constitutional recognition proposal that would be grabbed by both hands by all elements of Australian society; and something that we could celebrate as a great success when it is voted on at a referendum.”
Watch the full interview on YouTube:
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