While the debate around whether First nations people want ‘recognise or treaty’ rages on, questions have been raised about whether or not the race powers in the Constitution need to be part of an ongoing campaign around the recognition of Aboriginal people in the nation’s founding document.
The ‘Recognise’ campaign has attracted around $15 million from the Federal Government and has been traveling the country advocating for constitutional change as a move to recognise First Nations people.
The campaign remains in a controversial light with many seeing constitutional change as a tokenistic move without any substantial change.
Joint Campaign Director for Recognise Tanya Hosch told ABC’s Lateline program, it’s more than tokenistic, it aims to amend racial aspects of the document.
First Nations Pastor Ray Minniecon told NIRS News the race laws don’t only apply to our people, but to any race living in Australia.
He says he wouldn’t be surprised if the current laws are used for detaining asylum seekers.
Wiri barrister Tony McAvoy SC – the nation’s most senior Aboriginal lawyer – says while the removal of race powers in the constitution fits into the referendum argument, they could be changed at any time completely independent of a ‘Recognise’ campaign.
