Constitution to recognise aborigines | News

4th December 2008

QUEENSLAND will consider recognising indigenous people as the state's first people in the preamble to the state constitution.

Premier Anna Bligh said the idea came from a state forum held in preparation for the national 2020 Summit.

A committee will examine how to develop the statement, which would be made next year to coincide with the state's 150th anniversary.

Ms Bligh said she hoped the measure would get bipartisan support.

"We believe that insertion into the preamble of the constitution of Queensland as an aspirational statement for all Queenslanders, and which gives due recognition to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first people of our state, will also capture the aspirations of our state and is a fitting way of commemorating the 150th birthday," she said.

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