Remove race from constitution: Pearson

Removing the concept of race from Australia's constitution while strengthening discrimination protections will help liberate the indigenous population, community leader Noel Pearson says.

"As long as human societies have assumed and perpetuated the idea that there are distinct races across the world, much misery has resulted," Mr Pearson writes in the latest Quarterly Essay, titled A Rightful Place.

He is calling for reform of the constitution and wants racial references removed.

"As long as we have a constitution that characterises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the basis of race, it will have deleterious implications for their citizenship," Mr Pearson says.

"Now is the time for our people to be empowered: to take back liberty and responsibility."

While the change will have a positive effect on the indigenous community, it will not stop racism, Mr Pearson writes.

"So there will be need for protection against the illegitimate concept through the Racial Discrimination Act 1975."

Most of Australia would have to agree with Mr Pearson's recommendations before any changes are made to the constitution.

And he reckons conservatives and progressives should both back his ideas.

"First, conservatism sees intrinsic value in tradition and inheritance like our British heritage, indigenous tradition and inheritance is important and should be recognised and maintained," Mr Pearson writes.

"Second, conservatives value national unity."

When indigenous people think of themselves not as a separate race but as a people with distinct heritage, cultures and languages, there will be "a day of psychological liberation", Mr Pearson says.

"I believe constitutional reforms that remove the concept of race will have concrete, practical implications for indigenous wellbeing across this country."

Mr Pearson's Quarterly Essay is due out on Monday.