Nation considers constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people

Australia moved closer to recognizing Aboriginal people in its Constitution on Monday after talks with indigenous leaders, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said, urging an end to the "echoing silence" in his country's founding document.

Written more than a century ago, Australia's Constitution makes no mention of Aborigines or Torres Strait Islanders. A campaign has been underway for several years for a referendum to change it to recognize the continent's first inhabitants.

"I am confident that the time is right to move down this path," Abbott said after unprecedented bipartisan talks in Sydney with some 40 indigenous leaders and Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten.