Letter to The Editor - Constitutional recognition would not create a third chamber of parliament

To The Australian        Andrew Bragg, a supporter of Aboriginal constitutional recognition, states that it must "strengthen national unity" ("Let's get this job done on indigenous recognition", 7/1), but nowhere in his discussion is there any indication of how that could possibly be. There is ample evidence on the public record that this project is seen by key players as a means to eventually establishing two nations on this continent, something that can only be done by massive injustice to the majority of Australians, those who make no claim to Aboriginality. Bragg favours the establishment of "local and regional bodies for the various indigenous communities around Australia", this to be followed by voluntary affiliation "to create a national body." No one else, he adds, "should tell these people how to set up their bodies." However, the Australian people as a whole are no doubt expected to foot the bill for costs. Finally, Bragg is setting up a straw man when he claims that constitutional recognition would not create a third chamber of parliament. It might not, but it would certainly give undue power and influence to a mere tiny majority of Australians, many of whose claims to indigenous status are questionable anyway.
  Nigel Jackson, Belgrave, Vic