As the nation marks the fortieth anniversary of the Aboriginal referendum held on 27 May, 1976, we are publishing on this site the speech given by the late Neville Bonner to the Constitutional Convention in 1998 to consider whether Australia should become a republic. Neville Bonner, a steadfast supporter of ACM was at one time Senator for Queensland and the first Aboriginal member of the Federal Parliament.
His was the only speech given at the Convention to be followed by standing ovation.