sorry day anniversary

Today is the fourth anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. It is important to remember these landmark occasions, I remember the National Apology well, celebrating with my colleague Cr Jeanette McRae and community members at the live broadcast at Swinburne University, Lilydale campus.

It is important at this time to turn our minds to the discussion around the Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians. Recognition has bi-partisan support and the Federal Government has committed to referendum, however given the past success rates of referenda in this country it will be difficult to achieve.

I can only hope for a simple straightforward question that people will easily support matched with wide consultation and a well resourced education campaign.

I intend to move a motion that the Yarra Ranges Council supports Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians and have referred it to our Indigenous Advisory Committee for their comment.

The time is right for our society to support Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians and bring our country into line with other nations which have long recognised their traditional owners.