Bill Shorten backs indigenous recognition ‘as real as the rock’

Marking the 30th anniversary of Uluru’s handback, Bill Shorten has called for a ‘national, unifying moment of recognition’.

Marking the 30th anniversary of the moment when the nation’s red heart was handed back to its traditional owners, Bill Shorten has called for a “national, unifying moment of recognition’’ with indigenous Australians, as real and as enduring as Uluru.

As he last night commemorated the handing back of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, the Opposition Leader said it was “for us, for our generation, to build the connection between equality under the law and equal opportunity in life’’.

Mr Shorten said indigenous Australians deserved an “empowered say’’ in their destiny and a “place of honour on our national birth certificate’’.

But he warned constitutional recognition needed to be more than empty poetry.

“Instead, let us promise to lay to rest the ghosts of the discrimination that haunt our constitution, the so-called ‘race powers’ crafted for Australia’s past,’’ Mr Shorten said.

“Let us aim for a national, unifying moment of recognition as honest as Redfern, as uplifting as the Apology and as real and enduring as this rock.’’

A few days after taking office, Malcolm Turnbull said he wanted to be the Prime Minister for all Australians and wanted “First Australians, our indigenous Australians, to have the same opportunities as everyone else; that includes a good education, work opportunities, living in a safe environment, so yes, I do see myself as the Prime Minister for indigenous affairs’’.

Since becoming leader, Mr Turnbull has spoken to Warren Mundine and indigenous leaders Noel Pearson, Tanya Hosch, Mick Gooda and Patrick Dodson about the challenge of achieving constitutional recognition of First Australians.

Mr Turnbull has previously expressed support for constitutional recognition, advocating a need to recognise ‘the original inhabitants of this country” and remove section 25, which says states can ban people from voting based on their race.