18/09/2023
Yesterday I walked with good friends and kindred spirits who will all vote YES in the upcoming referendum for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. This is an opportunity to take a small step forward to start to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.
From conversations I’ve had with people, I understand that there is a lot of misinformation out there. This is not a power grab. It’s a request for recognition and listening. It will unite, not divide.
The voice isn’t a “white man’s idea”. It is clearly and succinctly asked for by Indigenous communities in the Uluṟu Statement from the Heart. The Statement asks for recognition of Australia’s First People’s in our Constitution via the Voice. It is supported by over 80% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Voice is an advisory body made up of representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities from around the country that will report to Parliament on matters pertaining to their communities, like housing, education, health... Enshrining this in the Constitution ensures continuity for Indigenous communities as successive government’s cannot simply close this advisory committee down if they don’t like it.
As an advisory body, it won’t affect how government works - it doesn’t favour First Nations people at the expense of others.
Also, the Voice won’t have powers to “take our land” (and this isn’t the point of it anyway). Under the law, private land cannot be converted to native title.
It’s very immature as a Nation to go along with the No Campaign’s “if you don’t know, vote no”! Who even brings children up with that attitude? If you don’t know, please chat to someone who does. There’s heaps of information out there … below just a few of the many websites and groups with the knowledge and willingness to help:
.yes
https://ulurustatement.org
https://www.yes23.com.au
https://voice.gov.au
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