Indigenous rights

Australia to support UN Indigenous rights declaration

Posted 4 hours 23 minutes ago

Australia will next week officially back the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, reversing the Howard Government's vote against it in 2007.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin will make a statement on Australia's change in position on April 3 at Parliament House in Canberra.

The decison to support the declaration, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007, was part of the Rudd Government's election promises.

It also follows an unprecedented apology last year by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to the stolen generations.

Ms Macklin says supporting the declaration is an important step towards closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

"We want Indigenous Australians to be partners in efforts to close the gap. For this to happen, we must recognise the unique place of Indigenous people in Australia," she said.

"In supporting the Declaration, Australia will join with many other countries to show our respect for Indigenous people"

Australia was a key player in drafing the declaration in the 1980s and 90s but the Howard government eventually chose to vote against it in 2007.

It was one of only four countries including the United States, Canada and New Zealand to do so.

The declaration is not legally binding and the Government's statement to support it could be reversed by the next Government.