Indigenous recognition: NSW becomes first state to support referendum to identify Aboriginal people in constitution

Updated

New South Wales has become the first state to throw its support behind a referendum to recognise Indigenous people in the constitution.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott promised there would be a referendum on changing the constitution to recognise the first Australians during his first parliamentary term, but has since conceded that could take some time.

Premier Mike Baird began the push for change by declaring his government's in-principle support for the referendum and urged other state and territory leaders to follow suit.

"This is righting a significant wrong and that significant wrong, when you go right back to the constitution, [is that] our original Australians were not included," he said.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Recognise campaign launched (ABC News)

"I mean why was that? I can't answer that question but what we can do now is fix it.

"They need to be recognised and that's an important part of who we are as a nation."

Mr Baird said it would take some time to convince people to vote "yes".

"That's why the Prime Minister and federal Opposition are being so careful about this," he said.

"They want to make sure that community support is there and that's why today's important.

"I think it's a gradual process where we bring everyone on board.

"We understand the issues and yes there are some voices against it. Let's understand those concerns, let's address those concerns and let's give it every opportunity to succeed."

State Aboriginal Affairs Minister Victor Dominello said it was an important step.

"It is really important given that we are the state with the most amount of Aboriginal people, that we show some leadership," he said.

"Given our constitution is our first document it is important that it recognises the first people of our land.

"It would be a very large stride forward for our nation."

Mr Dominello said NSW would offer the Commonwealth whatever support it could.

"The Federal Government needs to take the lead in terms of consultation with the community and getting the wording right," he said.

The New South Wales Opposition is supporting the campaign.

Opposition Leader John Robertson said given the vote looked unlikely to happen before 2017, it was important to maintain momentum on the issue.

"I welcome the fact that the NSW Liberals have got on board and will be out there hopefully actively campaigning for a yes vote on an amendment to the constitution," he said.

"Australia is one of the only first world nations with a colonial history that doesn't recognise its Indigenous population in the constitution."

Topics: aboriginal, constitution, government-and-politics, nsw

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