David Bamford

The long and slow process towards constitutional recognition of Australia’s indigenous peoples is further delayed. Over the last 50 years there have been various attempts to reach a proper settlement between the Australian nation and its indigenous population. The most recent campaign began in the mid-1990s and gained momentum in 2007 when both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition agreed to hold a referendum to amend the constitution to recognise indigenous peoples. The last ten years has seen the process mired in technical and political arguments and a significant campaign against such a proposal. As a result there continues to be no settlement between the Australian nation and its indigenous peoples and its prospects are uncertain. 

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