In Australia, preliminary voting has begun in the referendum on recognizing the special rights of aboriginals in the constitution.
In Australia, preliminary voting has begun in the referendum on recognizing the special rights of aboriginals in the constitution.
Australia’s centre-left government wants to enshrine in the constitution a special right for Aboriginal people to be consulted on any legislation that affects them.
The referendum is scheduled for October 14, but voters who for some reason will not be able to vote on this date are given the opportunity to vote in advance.
Polling stations opened in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory on Tuesday, but the day before they opened in the rest of Australia.
Of Australia’s 23 million inhabitants, approximately 700,000 are Aboriginal. They lag behind other groups in society in economic and social indicators, with disproportionately high rates of suicide, alcohol abuse, domestic violence and incarceration.
Proponents of the constitutional amendment argue that it will allow for policies that will remedy this situation.
On the other hand, their opponents point out that the plan is not developed in detail, creates unnecessary additional bureaucracy, divides society along racial lines, introduces special privileges for aborigines, but will not improve their living conditions.
According to recent polls, just over 40% of Australians support the constitutional amendment, while almost 60% oppose it.
According to the results of the survey published on Tuesday, the number of supporters of the “yes” camp has increased slightly, but the “no” camp is still in a clear lead.
