The PM announces in his New Year message that he will start “the conversation about a constitutional referendum to recognise the first Australians. This would complete our Constitution rather than change it.” Media outlets report that the Government intends to have the wording fixed by September but as yet nominates no planned date for when the referendum will be held. The Act of Recognition passed by the House of Representatives, supported by the then Opposition, will cease to have effect on 13 February 2015. Movement on this referendum is good news for the Republic one to follow. Note the emphasis in the second sentence referring to unfinished business in the way we govern ourselves. For more information about the Act of Recogition and Tony Abbott’s Sydney Institute speech of 15 March 2013 “Aboriginal People will be at the Heart of a New Government in Word and Deed”, click on link below.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
