According to documents revealed in today’s edition of The Australian, the 13 member Referendum Council is considering five options to present to Australians in the necessary referendum to change the Constitution.
They include a statement of acknowledgement, reforming the so-called ‘race power’ in section 51-26 of the Constitution, a new Indigenous advisory body, a legally binding protection against racial discrimination and the agreement making power.
The Referendum Council – chaired by lawyer Mark Leibler and Indigenous woman Pat Anderson – was created last year to guide the government and the public on the best way to a successful referendum to recognise Indigenous people in Australia’s Constitution.
The Council is also said to be moving ahead with plans for national conventions to garner public support.
They are expected to “involve 18 regional conferences leading up to a national convention at Uluru and cost $7.5 million,” according to The Australian.
In an exclusive interview with NITV earlier this year, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said a referendum was “feasible” in 2017 but needed overwhelming support.
Source: Supplied
