The long and winding road...constitutional recognition for Australia's indigenous peoples

The long and slow process towards constitutional recognition of Australia's indigenous peoples is further delayed. Over the last 50 years there have been various attempts to reach a proper settlement between the Australian nation and its indigenous population. The most recent campaign began in the mid-1990s and gained momentum in 2007 when both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the opposition agreed to hold a referendum to amend the Constitution to recognise Australia's Indigenous peoples. The last ten years has seen the process mired in technical and political arguments and the growth of active opposition to constitutional recognition. As a result there continues to be no settlement between the Australian nation and its indigenous peoples and its prospects are uncertain.