In the cold light of day, commentator Michelle Grattan, lines up the political ducks, the lie of the land and possible strategies. She assesses what it will take to get any national vote on Indigenous Recognition over the line and a majority in four States. A lot. At present, federal political buy-in at the most senior levels does not exist. She states that ” both content and potential support will present major problems” and adds “Even formulating the question will be an extremely challenging hurdle.” She correctly identifies that the Prime Minister – and the Government at the next election – has little to lose from any back-tracking on this issue while for the small cohort of Indigenous federal parliamentarians, it is highly personal and the challenges frightening. Her article – click on link below – appeared on The Conversation online and on ABC online. [“Indigenous constitutional recognition a difficult goal for Scott Morrison and Ken Wyatt by Michelle Grattan, The Conversation online, 12 July 2019]
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
