MEDIA

A referendum could be held early next year to enshrine a “First Nations Voice” in the constitution after a historic all-Indigenous convention overwhelmingly backed the move.

Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson has predicted a “noble compromise” will be reached on Indigenous recognition in the constitution, with a referendum question hitting a “sweet spot” between ambition and realism, and between conservatism and liberalism.

The “unique” circumstance of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders should be enough reason for a constitutionally guaranteed indigenous body to advise federal parliament on a referendum, senior indigenous figures argue.

Indigenous Australia is on course for a showdown with Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten over constitutional recognition, with the final of 12 regional meetings on reform concluding yesterday that it would only be satisfied with a substantive outcome — something political leaders oppose.

Indigenous constitutional recognition is about reforming a relationship. It is about reforming the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Australian governments, to ensure it is fairer than in the past.

STATE schools are failing indigenous kids, operating like prep schools for lives on welfare or in prison, indigenous leader Noel Pearson says.

A teacher at Noel Pearson’s Cairns-based Djarragun College has backed the Direct Instruction teaching method following criticism of the running of a Cape York school.

A teacher at Noel Pearson’s Cairns-based Djarragun College has backed the Direct Instruction teaching method following criticism of the running of a Cape York school. Dennis McIntosh, who uses the method at Djarragun, also lashed out at Far North Queensland federal Coalition MP Warren Entsch and state Education Minister Kate Jones for criticising the way Mr Pearson’s Cape York Aboriginal…

There are two types of fear in politics. There is rational fear, which is productive. You can talk it through, address the concerns and create more sensible and cautious reform proposals as a result of the exchange. Rational fear has a sound basis and can therefore propel sound discussion and debate, with better policy resulting.

Former Treasury boss Ken Henry has called on corporate Australia to help wean indigenous communities off welfare and not leave the job to the state.

Noel Pearson has criticised successive federal governments for failing to implement meaningful welfare reform, and the left for “inculcating a sense of victimhood” in those dependent on welfare.

A landmark class action lawsuit aiming to claw back the stolen wages of about 300 Aboriginal Queenslanders could be the beginning of something much bigger, with similar moves planned nationally within months.