A simple referendum question about consitutional change would leave the parliament to handle the detail of how to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders a voice in the legislative process, writes Rosalind Dixon.
When Attorney-General George Brandis was asked on Q&A about a parliamentary vote on the decision to go to war, he said that was not part of the Westminster tradition. Is that right?
Change to the Australian Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is more than mere symbolism. It will demonstrably counteract Indigenous disadvantage, argues Paul Kildea.
OPINION: The Gillard government has achieved remarkable success steering legislation through a hung parliament. But the coming year may see opponents shift the battle to the High Court, writes Professor George Williams in the SMH.
The arrival in Australia of our future king, Prince William, reminds us of our failure to assert our full powers of self-government, writes UNSW Professor George Williams.
