Mick Gooda wants recognition question by ‘end of the year’

Both sides of politics must agree on a question for a referendum on constitutional recognition “by the end of the year”, Mick Gooda says.

Aboriginal leader Mick Gooda wants a recognition question agreed this year. Picture: Colin Murty

Both sides of politics must agree on the elements of a question for a referendum on constitutional recognition “by the end of this calendar year”, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda has said ahead of a high-level meeting on the matter.

Tony Abbott has called a meeting of indigenous representatives, also to be attended by Bill Shorten, in Sydney on Monday.

The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples will also meet at the weekend ahead of Monday’s gathering to discuss the proposed recognition of indigenous people in the Constitution.

About 40 indigenous representatives have been invited to Monday’s meeting. The guest list includes the chairman of the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council, Warren Mundine,; Cape York Institute director Noel Pearson; Cape York Land Council chairman Richie Ah Mat; Yawuru leader Patrick Dodson; Gumatj clan leader Djawa Yunupingu; Gail Mabo, the daughter of Torres Strait land rights leader Eddie Mabo; Melbourne University professor Marcia Langton; public law professor Megan Davis; former politician Aden Ridgeway; and filmmaker Rachel Perkins.

Mr Gooda said that having received the long-awaited report of a bipartisan joint select committee formed to advise on the form that constitutional recognition might take, it was now time to bed down a referendum question.

He hoped to see the question agreed by both sides of politics, with the input of Aboriginal people, within months.

“From my perspective, what we need to do is concentrate on the process of getting there and that would mean in a couple of weeks after this meeting that the Prime Minister and Bill Shorten actually come out with a consensus position on particular elements of a question which we would then use to go and consult with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

Mr Yunupingu called yesterday for the indigenous community to be united.

“This is very important work and we must be united in our commitment. We will listen carefully to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition but the recognition we seek must be truthful about the past and real in the way it addresses the future.”

All parties agree on the need to repeal Section 25 of the Constitution, which contemplates race-based voting exclusions in the states. The select committee report also recommended recasting Section 51 (26), the “races power”.

But there is strong debate around more substantive measures of constitutional change, including the need for a racial non-discrimination clause and the suggestion by Mr Pearson of an indigenous representative body that would scrutinise legislation.

Mr Abbott favours a minimalist position.