Indigenous Cultural Heritage in Australia and in the Right to Keep It: A View from Europe

Abstract

Il patrimonio culturale indigeno in Australia e il diritto di mantenerlo: un punto di vista europeo – In Australia the recent failed referendum of 2023 on the Voice to Parliament was a failed attempt to get recognition in the Commonwealth Constitution for Indigenous people in Australia. This recognition was seen as needed in the Constitution because of the threats to people, language, and culture which have existed in Australia since colonisation in 1788. What Australia seems to lack, when considering its track record of protecting cultural heritage, is a concerted political will to see the need for protecting cultural heritage, and for carrying out the actions which will protect it.

Keywords: Constitution; Cultural heritage; Federalism; Regionalism; National identity; Pluralism