Julia Gillard claims she wishes to lead a national discussion on a referendum on recognising indigenous people in the Australian Constitution. OK, but I feels she needs to define "indigenous people" first.
According to one document on the Government web site (http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rn/2000-01/01RN18.htm) "In his analysis of over 700 pieces of legislation, the legal historian John McCorquodale found no less than 67 different definitions of Aboriginal people". The document goes on to say that various Justices have said that "biological descent … to not imply strict patrilineal descent".
This does not sit well with me. I recognise that we can have an affinity for a particular race of people but to me to actually belong to that race you’d need at least two of your grandparents belonging to that race. If not you’re more not that particular race than you are that race.
My children (all born in Australia) have their two grandparents on their mother’s side born in a European country (A). On my side one great-grandparent was born in another European country (B). Being genetically one half A and one eighth B can they claim to be B? Personally I don’t think so no matter how much that side of the family may affect them socially.
