Australian trade unions have pledged their support for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in an historic vote at the Australian Council of Trade Unions Congress meeting in Sydney yesterday (Wednesday 16th May).

Through its membership base and working with its affiliates, the ACTU’s commitment will be a strong and influential voice in the campaign for change.

Congress delegates voted unanimously for the union movement to take a critical role in lobbying for change and supporting and fostering community involvement.

This support will be backed by resources to help raise public awareness among affiliated unions, union members and the broader community.

Click here to read the ACTU resolution in full

Patrick Dodson questions whether we have done all we can to displace Terra Nullius in his Tony Fitzgerald Memorial address, Ending Constitutional Racism. He says that building support for a positive outcome referendum will be hard work - while calling all Australians to action on constitutional change.

Professor Dodson reminds us that this year marks the 20 year anniversary of the handing down of the Mabo verdict . But while we have acknowledged the native title rights of traditional owners, the myth of Terra Nullius has not been entirely eradicated within Australia.

The Law Society of New South Wales recently wrote to Prime Minister Gillard urging the Australian Government to grasp the historic opportunity to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Constitution by preparing a referendum consistent with the recommendations made by the Expert Panel.

This letter follows the Society’s support for the work of the Government appointed advisory panel on constitutional recognition which included a formal submission. Our members believe the time is right for the Government to build on the panel’s extensive consultations, research and polling to generate momentum for change.