Australia enlists NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal on Indigenous reform

Former basketball star Shaquille O’Neal speaks to CNBC in an interview about joining Papa John’s International’s board of directors on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, USA, March 22, 2019.Reuters/Brendan McDiarmid/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Former US basketball player Shaquille O’Neal said on Saturday he would help Australia’s new government implement reforms to bring the voices of indigenous peoples to parliament.

Albania’s centre-left Labor government is seeking a necessary referendum to change the constitution to recognize indigenous peoples in the constitution and require them to be consulted on decisions affecting their lives. .

Details on the so-called Indigenous Voices to Congress follow a referendum on the issue that the government hopes to hold during the current term of Congress.

O’Neill told Albanese at a press conference in Sydney, “I’m in your country. Anything you need me to do let me know.

Indigenous Peoples Minister Linda Burney said at a press conference that O’Neill called for engagement and described the mission for change as “noble work.”

Albanese said O’Neill, a four-time NBA champion, has a track record of working for social justice in the United States and “lifting those left behind.”

“We want to build the widest possible support, and we want to engage people, especially young people, who can connect with all sections of society,” Albanese said.

“Shack has a track record of bringing together people of diverse backgrounds that align with our approach.”

Prime Minister O’Neill has agreed to make several videos on the issue, he said.

Labor has promised a referendum proposal as it campaigns for the May general election. The election ended nearly a decade of rule by the conservative Liberal coalition government.

Indigenous Australians have struggled for generations since European colonization in the 1700s to gain recognition for their injustices. The Constitution, which came into effect in 1901, makes no mention of the country’s indigenous peoples.

Reported by Sam McKeith.Edited by Simon Cameron Moore

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