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.

Greens Leader Christine Milne and Greens spokesperson for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, Senator Rachel Siewert, held a press conference on the Act of Recognition, an important step towards recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution, an integral part of the Greens' agreement with Labor to form government.

The Greens call on the Government to make this change happen in the next election cycle.

The Australian Greens welcome the passage of the Act of Recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as a major stepping stone towards a referendum on the Constitutional Recognition of Australia's First Peoples.

"The Anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations is always a poignant occasion. This year, the Parliament is moving us closer to Reconciliation, with the Act of Recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples passing the House of Representatives." Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Christine Milne said.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke must intervene immediately to protect Aboriginal heritage at James Price Point and beyond in the wake of the Western Australian government's decision to allow the Woodside Petroleum Gas Hub to disturb Aboriginal heritage sites, the Australian Greens said today.

Greens leader Senator Christine Milne said "I'm shocked that the West Australian government is allowing such destructive acts to happen, particularly when there are two court cases pending.

"Tony Burke has to step in immediately to protect this priceless heritage."

Leader of the Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne and Greens spokesperson for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues, Rachel Siewert, addressed the press to speak on the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and also on the low $2.90 increase in Newstart.

Transcript

Subjects: constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Newstart

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.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Christine Milne, asked Senator Conroy in Senate Question Time how the Federal Government could have any confidence that the West Australian assessment and EPA reports have not been corrupted, in light of evidence that Woodside asked the Western Australian government to withdraw warnings from the Department of Indigenous affairs that the gas hub company might be acting in breach of the Aboriginal Heritage Act.

Senator Christine Milne, leader of the Australian Greens, spoke this morning to ABC News Radio, responding to former ALP president Warren Mundine's call that the Greens had not done enough for Aboriginal people.

Some of the interview is transcribed below. Follow the link at the bottom for the full audio.