Local push for national voice campaign launched

MEMBERS of First Nations communities took part in a recent launch of the local ‘yes’ campaign in the lead up to the planned referendum on an Indigenous voice to Federal parliament later this year.

A yes result in the proposed referendum, that’s still without a date and question, could mean recognition for First Nations peoples in the constitution and a yes result in the proposed referendum, that’s still without a date and question, could mean recognition for First Nations peoples in the constitution and the formation of an Indigenous advisory body.

“Seeing my people with a seat at the table is something that I’ve never seen before, but it opens so many doors and opportunities for our whole community to inform at the top level.

“It’s up to us as First Nations people to write the next chapter and embrace this new opportunity to pave our own future.”

Ten-year-old Charlotte Kanoa said the perspectives of her people should matter.

“We have so much knowledge about what works for us, having a voice to Parliament would be so great, and give us a better future,” she said.

Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, said the voice to Parliament would operate much like one of the city’s key groups.

“The voice to Parliament would not have veto power or hold funds… it’s really like the consultative mechanism we have at the City of Ballarat, the Koorie Engagement Action Group, but at a national level,” she said.

Ms King said the referendum is expected to be held between October and December, that she will be voting yes, and anyone is welcome to call her office to ask questions.

“There’s a referendum working group of First Nations people and they are establishing the date,” she said.

“This is about people, it’s about everybody in our community, the pathway to reconciliation, and we’ve got to think, how will we feel as a nation when we wake up the next day and we’ve voted yes?

“It’s about making sure that the Uluru Statement from the Heart… of First Nations people coming together and asking to be listened to, and I think it will be an incredible moment for the country.

“I hope very much that we have a yes vote here in Ballarat.”

Karen Heap said she was proud to support the voice, not on behalf of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative as its CEO, but as a Yorta Yorta/Barkandji woman.

“It’s really important to acknowledge the Voice to Parliament, and as an Aboriginal person, I fully support it. It’s a brilliant thing,” she said.

“I can’t talk for our whole community, and I wouldn’t bear to do that. Our community will have their voice and we’re going to be organising various events throughout the year to make sure they get the message of what the Voice to Parliament is, and how it affects everybody.”