ANZSOG INSTITUTE FOR GOVERNANCE SEMINAR SERIES LUNCHTIME SEMINAR Professor Mick DODSON Prohibition of racial discrimination in the Australian Constitution Wednesday 11 July 2012, 12.30pm – 1.30pm The Innovation Centre, University of Canberra, Building 23, Level B, Room 5 Image source: http://law.anu.edu.au Attendance at this seminar is free and no registration is required. Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits are provided from 12.15pm. The Labor Government has promised to hold a national referendum on the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on or before the next federal election. As part of this promise, the Prime Minister of Australia nominated an expert panel of 19 indigenous leaders, politicians and legal minds who conducted a national consultation process. Input was sought from communi- ties, public submissions, constitutional experts and extensive research. The Panel’s findings were presented to the government in January 2011. The Panel recommended removing two sections of the constitution that permitted discrimination against races in voting, and in making special laws. It was recommended that these sections be replaced with a more specific statement on the power to make laws for the peace, order and good government with respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Professor Mick Dodson will speak on the issue of constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the journey towards constitutional change. Speaker details Professor Mick Dodson is a member of the Yawuru peoples the traditional Aboriginal owners of land and waters in the Broome area of the southern Kimberley region of Western Australia. In 2009 he was named Australian of the Year by the National Australia Day Council. Professor Dodson has been a prominent advocate on land rights and other issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. He worked as a barrister with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service from 1976 to 1981, before joining the Northern Land Council as Senior Legal Adviser in 1984 and subsequently becoming Director of the Council. From August 1988 to October 1990 Professor Dodson was Counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Mick Dodson was Australia's first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commis- sioner with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity. He served as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner from with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity from April 1993 to January 1998. Professor Dodson currently holds numerous positions at the Australian National University, including Director of the National Centre for Indigenous Studies. He is also currently a Director of Dodson, Bauman & Associates Pty Ltd - Legal & Anthropological Consultants. Professor Dodson is also a vigorous advocate of the rights and interests of the Indigenous Peoples of the world and has served in numerous roles for the United Nations. A map of the University of Canberra showing the location of Building 23 and adjacent parking is at: http://www.canberra.edu.au/university/maps. www.governanceinstitute.edu.au .