Australia reveals wording for historic constitutional referendum on Indigenous rights

Fighting back tears, an emotional prime minister Anthony Albanese asks: ‘If not now, when?’

Anthony Albanese with members of the First Nations Referendum Working Group on Thursday (via REUTERS)

Australia’s prime minister fought back tears on Thursday as he released details of a referendum to recognise indigenous people in the country’s constitution.

An emotional Anthony Albanese revealed the proposed question Australians will be asked later this year on a constitutional amendment that would enshrine a new body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. The Voice would be an elected group charged with advocating Indigenous interests, but would not have a vote on laws. “We urgently need better outcomes because it’s not good enough where we’re at in 2023,” he said, describing the change as long overdue.

“For many... this moment has been a very long time in the making. One person, one vote. People from all faiths, backgrounds… all of us will have equal say.