[1/2] A depiction of the Australian Aboriginal Flag is seen on a window sill at the home of indigenous Muruwari elder Rita Wright, a member of the "Stolen Generations", in Sydney, Australia, January 19, 2021.
REUTERS/Loren Elliott Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Thousands rallied in Australia on Sunday to support recognising the country's Indigenous people in the constitution, a proposal that is struggling ahead of a referendum next month.
Indigenous Australians, who account for 3.8% of the population, face disadvantages including discrimination, poor health and education outcomes and high incarceration rates.
To change the constitution, the referendum, backed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor government, would require a national majority in favour and majorities in at least four of Australia's six states.
Most Indigenous people favour the referendum, but some, like prominent No campaigner Warren Mundine, say it is a distraction from achieving practical and positive outcomes and would not fully resolve the issues affecting them.
Persons:
Rita Wright, Loren Elliott, Anthony Albanese's, Warren Mundine, we've, Mundine, Sam McKeith, William Mallard
Organizations:
Australian, REUTERS, Rights, Aboriginal, Torres Strait, Australian Broadcasting Corp, Anthony Albanese's Labor, ABC, Thomson
Locations:
Sydney, Australia, Brisbane, Sydney , Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, Canberra, Darwin, Newcastle