Indigenous Inclusion Is a Focus For New Australian Government
- Labor seeks referendum on First Nations voice in constitution
- New parliament to have record number of Indigenous lawmakers
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As Anthony Albanese took to the podium for his first press conference as Australia’s 31st prime minister last week, the new addition of Indigenous flags next to the long-standing national one was telling.
The Labor leader immediately gave his commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a petition with roots spanning back 85 years seeking constitutional change to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have a voice in parliament. The new government has also made a raft of other commitments to Aboriginal people, including a promise to invest in the First Nations management of land and waters, strengthening economic and job opportunities for Indigenous people and a pledge to improve housing in remote communities.