The Labor Government has promised a referendum within two years to recognise Aboriginal people in the nation’s constitution, if they are re-elected.

Opposition leader Tony Abbot fired back at the announcement almost immediately, saying his party had the same plan and that Mr Rudd was playing politics, “I don't want to politicise this. I really don't,” Abbott said, “and I'm surprised that Mr Rudd is trying to do that.” By announcing a referendum Mr Rudd is indeed, by the dictionary definition, politicising the issue.

Labor baulked at the chance to have the referendum in 2012 when Mr Rudd shelved the issue due to a lack of public awareness. He says work is now underway, with a parliamentary committee to consider various elements of the change to the constitution.

It has been a long hard road to recognition for Australia’s original inhabitants. Aboriginal people were only given the vote in 1967, rights to the lands on which they lived in 1976 and the removal of the terra nullius concept in 1992.