The " Constitution " Enigma !

For two hundred and twenty-nine years a wrong has awaited correction.  Despite Captain Cook's earlier voyages disclosing that this great continent was thinly populated with Indigenous people the British government chose to declare it was an " empty land ".   The first fleet clearly intended to establish a penal colony and they planted a flag on a beach and claimed if for the crown.

The Australian Aborigines were virtually ignored.   They were subjected to white man's law and denied any rights, even being excluded from the census.  Where settlers chose to farm the land they clashed with the native people and drove them from the land they needed to establish sheep and cattle.  The new arrivals had the advantage of superior weaponry and the backing of the law.

When wars threatened Australia the Indigenous people were quick to enlist in the armed services and fought overseas in both world wars.  To our shame, at wars end they were prevented from attending Anzac day parades or to even enter RSL clubs.  It was a criminal offence to supply them with any form of alcohol.  They were denied the Digger's rights accorded to white ex-servicemen.

Change has come slowly, first by referendum and later by decisions handed down by the High court.  Now it is judged necessary to rectify that " empty land " anomaly by bringing the presence of Indigenous people into formal recognition in the Australian Constitution. Just how that should be achieved is yet to be decided.

Some suggest that they be acknowledge by way of a formal treaty.  Usually, such a treaty is negotiated at the time of settlement, as was the custom in both North America and New Zealand. Unfortunately, all such treaties have a record of being shamelessly broken by the incoming settlers and there is no reason to think that such a treaty would meet the needs of our first inhabitants.

Some suggest either reserved seats in parliament for Indigenous representation, or even the formation of an entirely separate administrative body to have control over native affairs.  The objection is that this creates an " them " and " us " culture.  The future of this country depends on a united population moving forward together to meet the challenges and reap the rewards that this great landmass awards to those that call it " home " !

The question yet to be answered is " What do the Indigenous people want ?  "    The answer is far from clear.   Probably a lot less than the hot heads demand be granted - and a lot more than  some colour phobic white Australians are willing to grant.

It will certainly be a matter of balance between calm thinking people on both sides of the divide to reach a consensus of what is possible.  It will not be helped by opportunistic politicians seeking voting advantage by pandering to the hysterical extremists and inflaming the rhetoric.

If it takes a little longer to talk this through and get it right - then so be it !  The last ting we need is a rushed and unbalance decision.  Given time, the fair minded will prevail  !