Petition launch at afternoon tea

Friends of Mingaletta will host an afternoon tea on Wednesday, September 26, at 4pm at the Mingaletta Centre, Umina.

A petition will be launched at the afternoon tea that will call on the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to put a referendum to the Australia people at the next election to change the Constitution.

The Government has already received a report from an expert panel, which was set up to consult with the community across the country.

The panel has recommended that the Constitution be changed to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first peoples of the country, along with their languages, cultures and heritage, and that racial discriminatory provisions that exist now be repealed, and racial discrimination be prohibited.

"It is shameful that these provisions are still part of our Constitution in the 21st century, and we must act to remove them," said Friends of Mingaletta media officer Ms Barbara Kelly.

"To ensure that the referendum is successful, we need to raise awareness about these important issues and gain broad community support otherwise this referendum will join the long list of failed previous attempts to change the Constitution.

"We have asked local businesses, schools, unions, community organisations and politicians to come to our afternoon tea and demonstrate their support for constitutional change and we also have extended an invitation to all members of the media to attend.

"We will be asking people attending the afternoon tea to sign the petition, and also take them back to their workplaces, meetings places and homes and asking others to sign up to this momentous change.

"We intend to personally deliver the petition to Prime Minister Gillard," said Ms Kelly.

With inquiries, or to register attendance, phone 4342 7515.

Media Release, 12 Sep 2012

Barbara Kelly, Friends of Mingaletta