Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has proposed adding a new chapter to his country’s constitution. The addition would include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who are not mentioned in Australia’s existing constitution.

 Indigenous Australians from the Torres Strait archipelago are culturally distinct from the mainland Aboriginal population. See what Australia’s proposed constitutional changes would entail.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders represent about 3.2 percent of Australia’s total population, yet are not mentioned in its existing constitution. Prime Minister Albanese has proposed adding a new chapter to Australia’s constitution.

The referendum question Albanese will put to Australians is: “A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognize the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?"

The new chapter would include recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia.

The additional chapter would permit a body, called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.T he Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice could make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Australian Parliament, subject to this Constitution, would then have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.

The Australian government will soon introduce the bill outlining the proposed changes to the constitution, hoping to pass it in the parliament by the end of June. Any constitutional alterations in Australia require a national referendum.  

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