Trouble on Horizon for Indigenous Recognition Referendum

The warning signs must already be there as the Prime Minister gives the 2014 Neville Bonner oration in Sydney at the invitation of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy whom, we understand, are implacably opposed to any changes to the Constitution.  In the address, the PM encourages the constitution’s “fiercest defenders whose temptation is to dismiss all change as constitutional vandalism” to consider changing (that is, ‘completing’) it by acknowledging “indigenous Australians”.  This is referred to as a “grace note in this most serviceable of foundation documents”  We know about grace notes and how unnecessary they are from the introduction of the Queen’s new knighthoods in March this year (see previous 2014 News Items).  The challenge according to the PM is to find a way to acknowledge Aboriginal people in the Constitution without otherwise changing it – a somewhat confusing and conflicted notion. As well as saying, with a few twisty bits, that modern Australia has an “indigenous heritage, a British foundation and a multicultural character”, the PM stated “I don’t seek to remove the Crown” adding he understands that “change is often far more trouble than it is worth”. It was also announced that the House of Reps Committee chaired by Ken Wyatt will report on the proposed changes to the Constitution soon.