Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says 2015 is the year Australia should recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution, with a referendum that is fully understood and supported by the community.

"I'm calling on Prime Minister Abbott to get his head out of knights and dames and giving honours to Prince Philip, and instead put real effort into the campaign for giving recognition to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Constitution," said Senator Milne.

The Australian Greens said today the energy for constitutional recognition at the Recognise Gala last night was palpable, and have urged the Government to build on that energy and finalise the question to be put and set a date for the referendum.

"There is a groundswell of political and public support for constitutional change, which was on show at the Recognise Gala last night. We need to ensure this spirit continues," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues said today.

The Australian Greens have urged Colin Barnett to fully engage and support recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in both the State and Australian Constitutions.

"I encourage the Premier to re-think his position on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal people in Western Australia as a precursor to recognition in the Australian Constitution. It would be a good way of engaging Western Australians in the issue," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues said today.

The Australian Greens have welcomed the tabling of the Progress Report of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and are encouraging all MPs to engage in a full debate of the recommendations presented.

The Australian Greens have welcomed the release of the interim report of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, saying it provides a foundation for upcoming public consultation, beginning in northern Western Australia next week.

"The tabling of the interim report is another step to Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues said today.

The Australian Greens have joined with supporters of recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our Constitution to welcome the Journey to Recognition at Cottesloe Beach in Perth today.

"The Journey to Recognition has been on an amazing 15,000km trip from Melbourne, via Darwin and Broome, helping build momentum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our Constitution," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues said today.

The Australian Greens have welcomed the passage of the Act of Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples through the Senate today.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, said today the Act is an important step towards a Referendum on Constitutional Recognition, but emphasised the need for politicians and the community to continue working hard towards this goal. 

The Federal Government has today announced their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Bill and are in the process of establishing a Joint Parliamentary Select Committee to examine the Bill.

“The Australian Greens are committed to ensuring that the process from here is one which sets us on the best possible path towards a ‘yes’ vote when the referendum is held,” Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

The Australian Greens remain committed to a referendum on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples, viewing proposed legislation as a stepping stone to a successful vote.

“We accept this decision but are very disappointed that the timeframe for a referendum on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples, as established in our agreement with the Government, cannot be met,” Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.