2015-11-10
Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has said today that ‘it makes no sense for the path to Constitutional Reform to slow whilst community support increases’, with a poll today showing that eight out of ten Australians support constitutional change to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“Community awareness and support is increasing, with 79% of the general Australian community and 85% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in favour of the general prospect of Constitutional Recognition and 63% of the community now aware of the campaign.
“The Government should move to immediately resource Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples conventions.
“It is very important that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the opportunity to decide how they would like to see recognition in the Constitution. It is essential that any changes to the Constitution have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples support.
“It also remains important that Malcolm Turnbull put these conventions, as well as Constitutional Recognition more broadly, back in the national spot light. We do not want awareness for the campaign to slump.
“I look forward to seeing the Prime Minister using this high polling to propel the issue into substantive action”.