ANTaR believes that constitutional change is essential to ensure that the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are fully protected. Without this legal guarantee Aboriginal Australians, who make up less than 3% of our population, will continue to be subject to the whims of party politics.

Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution is back on the national agenda. The forthcoming referendum on this issue is likely to be the only chance this decade to achieve the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights.

Talks are the obvious process for exploring the terms of a new relationship. A treaty process is the usual mechanism for implementing and safeguarding what's agreed to during talks. ANTaR believes that an agreement or treaty process be established for dealing with the 'unfinished business' of Reconciliation.

Take action

Prior to the federal election last November, ANTaR promised that we would seek meetings with both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, to urge them to adopt a cross-party approach to the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

We asked the new government to put into place seven steps for justice, of which one was constitutional change.

Recent key reports

Report: A Treaty Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians

A set of four project issue papers: A Treaty Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians by Gilbert + Tobin, 2002-2005.

All things considered — a range of opinions

To give you a complete picture about treaty and constitutional change, here's a range of perspectives. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of ANTaR, but we think they should be considered and thoughtfully debated.

• Patrick Dodson's Nulungu Lecture - 21 August 2008
• Place for Aborigines in the constitution - Sydney Morning Herald, 24 July 2008
• Serious business - Galarrwuy Yunupingu, 27 October 2007
• Many paths to reconciliation - The Australian, 13 October 2007
• Rush will doom preamble, say experts - Sydney Morning Herald, 13 October 2007
• The first step on a long walk to unity - Patrick Dodson, 13 October 2007
• Reconciliation talk now needs the walk - Gary Highland, 12 October 2007
• Constitutional recognition of Indigenous rights long overdue - ANTaR media release, 11 October 2007
• The right time - Prime Minister John Howard, 11 October 2007
• A reminder of a people left behind - Muriel Bamblett, 22 May 2007
• After four decades, Aborigines still struggle to be heard - Wesley Aird, 22 May 2007
• No change without strong legal measures - Larissa Behrendt, 19 May 2007

Does Australia need a Treaty between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people?

We encourage considered, respectful and where necessary provocative debate. Please feel welcome to have your say, and in turn allow others to have their say without responding in anger or distrust.

ANTaR reserves the right to delete any comment that contains offensive, defamatory or discriminatory content. If you feel any of these comments are of this nature, please let us know.