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‘Divided society’ without treaty

‘Divided society’ without treaty The Canberra Times 30 March 09 Australia must modernise its ”horse and buggy era” constitution to enshrine Aboriginal land rights, customary law and social equality, Australian of the Year Mick Dodson says………………………..

Professor Dodson’s call comes as the United Nations has formally warned the Rudd Government to show it is making progress to end the suspension of Australia’s racial discrimination laws.

The laws were suspended by the Howard government in 2007 to push ahead with the emergency intervention in Aboriginal communities.

The UN’s racial discrimination committee wrote to Australia’s UN ambassador two weeks ago, after receiving formal complaints from Aboriginal representatives claiming intervention measures had ”allegedly led to serious discrimination”.

The committee has questioned the necessity for the Racial Discrimination Act to be suspended. The act is being redrafted in consultation with Aboriginal communities, and the UN has asked the Rudd Government to provide details of all proposed amendments by the end of July.

‘Divided society’ without treaty – National News – National – General – The Canberra Times

March 30, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized