Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013
No. 18, 2013
Compilation No. 1
Compilation date: 20 March 2015
Includes amendments up to: Act No. 14, 2015
Registered: 8 April 2015
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 20 March 2015 (the compilation date).
This compilation was prepared on 26 March 2015.
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on ComLaw (www.comlaw.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on ComLaw for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on ComLaw for the compiled law.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Recognition
4 Review of support for a referendum to amend the Constitution
5 Sunset provision
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
An Act to provide for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and for related purposes
Preamble
This preamble sets out considerations taken into account by the Parliament of Australia in enacting the law that follows.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were the first inhabitants of Australia.
The Parliament is committed to placing before the Australian people at a referendum a proposal for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Parliament acknowledges the important work of the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and its proposals for constitutional change.
The Parliament recognises that further engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians is required to refine proposals for a referendum and to build the support necessary for successful constitutional change.
The Parliament is committed to building the national consensus needed for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our Constitution.
The Parliament believes this Act is a significant step in the process towards achieving constitutional change.
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013.
2 Commencement
This Act commences on the day after this Act receives the Royal Assent.
3 Recognition
(1) The Parliament, on behalf of the people of Australia, recognises that the continent and the islands now known as Australia were first occupied by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
(2) The Parliament, on behalf of the people of Australia, acknowledges the continuing relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with their traditional lands and waters.
(3) The Parliament, on behalf of the people of Australia, acknowledges and respects the continuing cultures, languages and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
4 Review of support for a referendum to amend the Constitution
(1) The Minister must cause a review to commence within 12 months after the commencement of this Act.
(2) Those undertaking the review must:
(a) consider the readiness of the Australian public to support a referendum to amend the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
(b) consider proposals for constitutional change to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples taking into account the work of:
(i) the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
(ii) Reconciliation Australia; and
(c) identify which of those proposals would be most likely to obtain the support of the Australian people; and
(d) consider the levels of support for amending the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples amongst:
(i) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
(ii) the wider Australian public; and
(iii) the Governments of the States and Territories; and
(e) give the Minister a written report of the review at least 6 months prior to the day this Act ceases to have effect.
(3) The Minister must cause a copy of the report of the review to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the day the report is given to the Minister.
5 Sunset provision
This Act ceases to have effect at the end of 5 years after its commencement.
Note: The sunset period in this section will provide Parliament and the Australian people with a date by which to consider further the readiness of Australians to approve a referendum to amend the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Endnotes about misdescribed amendments and other matters are included in a compilation only as necessary.
Abbreviation key—Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is set out in the endnotes.
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
A = Act | orig = original |
ad = added or inserted | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
am = amended | /sub‑subparagraph(s) |
amdt = amendment | pres = present |
c = clause(s) | prev = previous |
C[x] = Compilation No. x | (prev…) = previously |
Ch = Chapter(s) | Pt = Part(s) |
def = definition(s) | r = regulation(s)/rule(s) |
Dict = Dictionary | Reg = Regulation/Regulations |
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament | reloc = relocated |
Div = Division(s) | renum = renumbered |
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | rep = repealed |
effect | rs = repealed and substituted |
F = Federal Register of Legislative Instruments | s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
gaz = gazette | Sch = Schedule(s) |
LI = Legislative Instrument | Sdiv = Subdivision(s) |
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
(md) = misdescribed amendment | SR = Statutory Rules |
mod = modified/modification | Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s) |
No. = Number(s) | SubPt = Subpart(s) |
o = order(s) | underlining = whole or part not |
Ord = Ordinance | commenced or to be commenced |
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Act | Number and year | Assent | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013 | 18, 2013 | 27 Mar 2013 | 28 Mar 2013 (s 2) |
|
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition (Sunset Extension) Act 2015 | 14, 2015 | 19 Mar 2015 | 20 Mar 2015 (s 2) | — |
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected | How affected |
s 5..................... | am No 14, 2015 |