Aboriginals 'not recognized' by Australian Constitution until 'race' is acknowledged: Senator

In a rousing statement about the government's treatment of indigenous Australians, Senator Nova Peris on Monday said that the country cannot recognize the aboriginal people in the Constitution until their racist pasts are acknowledged.

Peris further said that the government policy was hindering the aboriginals of Australia from 'moving forward'.

According to the BBC, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has pledged to hold a referendum in 2017 to decide on the recognition of aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders as the first Australians.

Opinion polls show that there is widespread community support for the inclusion of the indigenous people in the Constitution.

However, there is still disagreement over the wording of the amendments.

The Constitution has two controversial 'race provisions' which allow Australian states to disqualify people on the basis of their race from voting, while subsequently allowing laws to be framed on the basis of a person's race.