Australia and Aborigines

Australia to hold Referendum on recognising Aborigines
Notorious Aboriginal ghetto to be bulldozed
First Aboriginal MP for Australia
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Australia will hold a referendum on recognising its indigenous people in the constitution to improve conditions for its most disadvantaged community.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said there was a "once-in-50-year opportunity" to harness public and parliamentary support for greater recognition.
The 550,000 Indigenous Australians make up 2.7% of the population.
They suffer disproportionately high rates of unemployment, imprisonment, drug abuse, alcoholism and disease.
'Change needed'
Ms Gillard, of the centre-left Labor party, said that practical efforts to help Australia's Aborigines could not succeed without greater respect and recognition.
"The first peoples of our nation have a unique and special place in our nation," she said.
"We came to government also knowing that change was needed on an emotional level as well as a practical level."
"The recognition of Indigenous Australians - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - in the Australian constitution is another step, the next step in that journey," she added.
The referendum will ask the country to give constitutional recognition to indigenous people. It is unclear when the vote will take place.
Aboriginal leaders say a positive result would have a "dramatic effect" on the community's self-esteem.
Forty-four referendums have been held in Australia since 1901. Only eight have been passed.