Move to strike out a racist legacy
Amending the WA Constitution to recognise Aboriginal people as the original custodians of the land is a statement which could "overturn a legacy of racism", according to the Goldfields Land and Sea Council.
GLSC native title cultural project manager Trevor Donaldson told the _Kalgoorlie Miner _he hoped the proposal would receive bipartisan support in Parliament.
The Legislative Assembly rang with applause after Kimberley MLA Josie Farrer introduced the landmark private member's Bill on Tuesday afternoon.
The Bill recognises that Aboriginal people are the original custodians of Western Australia and that settlement by the European people was done without consultation with those original inhabitants.
Other Australian States have either already passed similar legislation or are in the process of doing so.
Advice from the Solicitor-General, provided to Parliament 10 years ago, found there would be no legal consequences of making the amendment.
Mr Donaldson yesterday welcomed the proposal.
"Recognising Aboriginal people as the original custodians of WA is well overdue recognition that dignifies the Aboriginal people as the first peoples of this great State," he said.
"(It is) a bold statement that can start to overturn a legacy of racism, and particularly in later times, of the quiet assumption that scarcely recognises itself.
"We would hope that there is bipartisan support of the last bastion that goes to the cornerstone of what makes this State; an intrinsic value which has eluded the State for so long.
"This would be a further step to an equal future, by paving the way of mutual respect for Aboriginal people as first West Australians, a step forward that will better all West Australians."
Ms Farrer said it was time for the entire nation to recognise Aboriginal people as the first Australians.
"We are a strong and vibrant people and we share with all Western Australians a beautiful country, unique culture and languages," she said.
"Until the 1967 Referendum, Aboriginal Australians were excluded even from being counted in the tally of citizens.
"Moving forward in an equal future together, we must all remove acts of discrimination."
