The Lies Abbott Tells - Part Eight

The first day of the new year saw Tony Abbott at it again - turning the truth on its head.

THE LIE

Prime Minister's New Year Message 1 January 2014:

I will also start the conversation about a constitutional referendum to recognise the first Australians. This would complete our Constitution rather than change it.   

THE TRUTH    

Despite the mainstream media being encouraged to take a position that Abbott is 'reviving' the push for recognition and reporting that the Government has promised to put forward a draft amendment by September but has not set a timeframe for a referendum, the Prime Minister actually has no choice but to begin this so-called conversation in 2014.

Gillard Government legislation, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013 (assented to on 27 March 2013 and administered by Prime Minister and Cabinet), requires the Abbott Government to review constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, consider proposals for constitutional change and identify those proposals most likely to obtain the support of the Australian people - commencing this process no later than 26 March 2014 and completing it no later than September 2014.

Sections 4 and 5 of the Act:

4  Review of support for a referendum to amend the Constitution

             (1)  The Minister must cause a review to commence within 12 months after the commencement of this Act.

             (2)  Those undertaking the review must:

                     (a)  consider the readiness of the Australian public to support a referendum to amend the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and

                     (b)  consider proposals for constitutional change to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples taking into account the work of:

                              (i)  the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and

                             (ii)  Reconciliation Australia; and

                     (c)  identify which of those proposals would be most likely to obtain the support of the Australian people; and

                     (d)  consider the levels of support for amending the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples amongst:

                              (i)  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and

                             (ii)  the wider Australian public; and

                            (iii)  the Governments of the States and Territories; and

                     (e)  give the Minister a written report of the review at least 6 months prior to the day this Act ceases to have effect.

             (3)  The Minister must cause a copy of the report of the review to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the day the report is given to the Minister.

5  Sunset provision

                   This Act ceases to have effect at the end of 2 years after its commencement.

Note:          The 2 year sunset period in this section will provide Parliament and the Australian people with a date by which to consider further the readiness of Australians to approve a referendum to amend the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

                                                                                             
Background

The Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians Final Report was informed by over 3,000 submissions from organisations, groups and individuals.

The following are its principal recommendations: