Cirrus@Austlit

'In 1967 we amended the Australian Constitution. We took out the two adverse references to Aborigines, which thereafter meant the Constitution was silent. Now some of you would be old enough to remember that there was a campaign to ‘Vote “yes” for Aborigines’. But all that was done was to take out the two adverse references to Aborigines, the main one of which was contained in section 51(26) of the Australian Constitution. Prior to 1967 that section said that the Commonwealth Parliament had power to make laws with respect to the people of any race, other than Aborigines, for whom it was deemed necessary to make special laws. The thinking of our founding fathers (and they were all men, back in the 19th century) was that Aboriginal affairs would be a matter for the states but that the Commonwealth Parliament would have power to make laws with respect to people of any other particular race, even if they did become British subjects.' (Introduction) 

'Kevin Rudd is back. Last week he was blitzing the country with a whirlwind book tour, having flown in from New York where he continues his post-prime-ministerial life as President of the Asia Society. He is promoting volume one of his autobiography entitled Not for the Faint-hearted. I caught up with him at Australian National University where he met in conversation with Stan Grant in front of a large crowd.' (Introduction)

'In 1967, Australians voted overwhelmingly in favour of altering two aspects of the Constitution that related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Although these seemed like small amendments, they provided an impetus for real change – from terra nullius to land rights, and from assimilation to self-determination.'

'Nearly 50 years later, there is a groundswell of support for our indigenous heritage to be formally recognised in the Constitution. As we await the new referendum, Frank Brennan considers how far we've come, and yet how much work lies ahead. With fresh, detailed research, he examines the work of the Council of Aboriginal Affairs, the pivotal Gove land rights case, and the attitudes of successive governments towards recognising traditional ownership. He also reminds us of the significance of constitutional change, assessing how the coming referendum might lead governments and indigenous Australians to negotiate better outcomes.' (Source: Publisher's website)