Talisman Saber at the start - US-Australia military maneuvers

The maneuvers take place at the military installation in Shoalwater Bay, in Queensland. Operation Talisman Saber is underway in Australia, the joint defense exercises involving the forces of various countries. The maneuvers take place at the Shoalwater Bay military installation in Queensland. This year, the exercise expanded to 13 nations and more than 30,000 military personnel. Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Great Britain, Canada and Germany are taking part in this year's exercise which ends on 4 August. The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand participate in the exercise as observers.

It is a referendum for the recognition of indigenous peoples in the Constitution of Australia where the natives do not currently enjoy consideration in the fundamental charter but pressure has increased over the years to modify the text, so as to combat the profound discrimination they are victims of in everyday life. The Australian Parliament has just approved a law that paves the way for a historic constitutional referendum on the proposal to establish a 'Voice' in the national parliament representing indigenous peoples, to be consulted in the elaboration of policies and decisions concerning them.

The provision, already approved by the House last month, was confirmed yesterday evening in the Senate with a majority of 52 to 19, thus approving the text of the amendment to the 1901 constitution. The text will be submitted to the referendum, now scheduled for October, which will require a majority both on a national scale and in the majority of the six states of the federation. If the yes passes, indigenous Australians, whose peoples have lived on the continent for at least 60,000 years, will have an enshrined right to be consulted by parliament and government on legislation that impacts their communities.