Aborigines take priority over republic, say polls

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SYDNEY - Australians believe it is more important to have a referendum on recognising Aborigines in the constitution than one on becoming a republic, a study shows.

Overall, the majority of Australians believe it is time for a debate on updating the constitution, according to the Australian Constitutional Values survey.

"Australians are interested in constitutional reform if it addresses some of the fundamental problems with Australia's federal system," said project researcher Professor A.J. Brown.

Brown and Dr Ron Levy, from Griffith University Law School, examined the results from Newspoll, which interviewed 1201 people in May 2008, and 1100 people in March this year.

"Seventy-five per cent of respondents indicated it was important to have a referendum about indigenous recognition, and 73 per cent about what levels of government Australia should have in its constitution," Brown said.

This compares with only 59 per cent who said it was important to have a referendum on becoming a republic.

A higher 77 per cent said it was important to resolve which levels of government were responsible for what in the federal system but only 51 per cent indicated support for the recognition of local government in the constitution.

The federal Government has agreed to a national referendum on recognising indigenous Australians and local government in the constitution in the next three years, as part of the deal it struck with the Greens and independents.

- AAP