Time For Respect

Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal Peoples in South Australia

UPDATE - FRIDAY 22 MARCH 2013

The Constitution (Recognition of Aboriginal Peoples) Amendment Bill 2012 was passed by the Legislative Council, with cross-party support, on Thursday 21 March 2013. The Bill achieves constitutional recognition for Aboriginal peoples as the First Peoples of South Australia.

Last year an Advisory Panel sought the broad community views about the options for formally recognising the state’s first peoples and this led to the inclusion of a statement of acknowledgement in the Bill that has now passed through Parliament.

This amendment provides Aboriginal Peoples with formal respect and recognition and is an important step towards reconciliation.

The Advisory Panel members wish to express their appreciation and thanks to all members of the South Australian community who contributed and provided feedback that was considered in the formulation of the final draft bill.

You can download the Constitution (Recognition of Aboriginal Peoples) Amendment Bill 2012 here.

UPDATE - FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER 2012

The Constitution (Recognition of Aboriginal Peoples) Amendment Bill 2012 was tabled in the House of Assembly on Thursday 29 November 2012. The Bill fulfils the promise of the Premier’s announcement in May 2012 of a process to achieve constitutional recognition for Aboriginal peoples.

UPDATE - THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2012

The Premier of South Australia announced the release of the report of the Advisory Panel on the recognition of Aborignal Peoples in the South Australian Constitution (the Constitution Act 1934).

You can download the report here.