The bill was met with applause from the public galleries where indigenous Australians had been watching.
“I do believe the community is willing to embrace the justice of this campaign because Australians understand that indigenous culture and history are a source of pride for us all,” Ms Gillard said.
“This bill seeks to foster momentum for a referendum for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
The bill is intended as but a first step in removing racist elements from the constitution and was passed on the fifth anniversary of Kevin Rudd’s apology to the the indigenous population for their treatment.
Photo: Getty.
Video via Sky News Australia / YouTube
