ANTaR welcomes statements from the ALP and the Greens yesterday committing to a process to recognise Indigenous Australians in our nation's Constitution.

"Constitutional reform remains a critical part of the unfinished business of reconciliation," said Dr Janet Hunt, ANTaR President.

ANTaR welcomes Minister Macklin's announcement that a re-elected Gillard Government would establish a bipartisan Expert Panel, including Indigenous leaders, to consult with Indigenous people on options for constitutional reform.

"Bipartisanship is crucial to building a broad community consensus on this important issue of justice for Indigenous Australians," Dr Hunt said.

Former Prime Ministers Kevin Rudd and John Howard both committed to recognising Indigenous people in Australia's Constitution.

"The Gillard Government's announcement yesterday outlines concrete steps it will take to implement former Prime Minister Rudd's commitment to reform," said Dr Hunt.

Acknowledging that it was long overdue, the Australian Greens yesterday made a statement in support of constitutional recognition to formally recognise Indigenous Australians.

"ANTaR now calls on the Coalition to renew the commitment made by John Howard in the last election to progress Constitutional recognition," said Dr Hunt.

Australia's Constitution includes no reference to the unique place, history and rights of Indigenous peoples in our nation.

It also offers no protection against racial discrimination, and it has been interpreted as enabling governments to legislate to the detriment of Indigenous peoples.

In December 2000, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation made key recommendations for reform of the Australian Constitution. These included:

• the development of a new preamble which recognises the status and history of Indigenous Australians;

• the amendment of the race power to authorise the Commonwealth to make special laws only for the benefit of a particular race; and

• the inclusion of an equality and non-discrimination clause.

In 2010 ANTaR launched a year of re-commitment to reconciliation - with a focus on constitutional reform - with our Are we there yet? campaign.

ANTaR is the pre-eminent non-Indigenous national advocacy organisation dedicated specifically to the rights - and overcoming the disadvantage - of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. .

Media contact: Dr Janet Hunt - 0408 170 448