It’s time for constitutional change

#999 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 23 Nov 2014.

The NSW Council of Churches has a long tradition of advocacy on behalf of Indigenous Australians. The Council took a leading role in promoting reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the wider community in the mid-1990s, culminating in a call to address historic injustices.

Two decades on, we have the opportunity to progress the cause of reconciliation by approving an amendment to the Australian Constitution to formally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I believe such change should be embraced, but it will not be easy.

As we said in 1997:

As a matter of urgency, despite the difficulties, the member churches of the NSW Council of Churches, as part of the body of Christ representing Christ on earth, cannot give up on matters of reconciliation. So the Council urges our State and Federal Governments to continue the Aboriginal reconciliation process, with true justice and humility.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.