The country’s newly appointed Referendum Council has met for the first time, one week after the names of all 16 members were publicly released.
The Council, jointly led by Professor Patrick Dodson and Mark Leibler, is responsible for advising the powers that be in Canberra on recognising First Nations people in the country’s constitution.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten jointly elected the council members after a lengthy selection debate.
Indigenous-designed and led consultations will be a central element of the national discussion according to both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
Both parties agreed that proposal has the broad support of Indigenous Australians, and the Australian community more generally, before proceeding to a referendum.
The approach is in sharp contrast to the views held by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who initially raised concerns over an Indigenous-led process.
Image: Courtesy of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation