“IT’S TIME”: Geelong Labor, Indigenous leaders back yes campaign

GEELONG Labor politicians have launched a local “yes” campaign ahead of the coming referendum for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

State and federal MPs hosted a leaders’ forum of around 100 representatives of the Geelong region’s most prominent institutions to make their case in favour of the proposed constitutional amendment.

Australians will go to the polls later this year to vote on enshrining the Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the nation’s constitution, which intends to create an advisory body for Indigenous policies.

A precise model to deliver its outcomes would be decided after the referendum, if successful.

Deputy Prime Minster and Corio MP Richard Marles, Corangamite MP Libby Coker, Geelong MP Christine Couzens, Wadawurrung woman Corrina Eccles and Deakin University pro vice-chancellor Mark Rose were the key speakers to back the Geelong yes campaign at the university’s NIKERI Institute on Monday morning.

State MPs Alison Marchant and Ella George were also in the crowd to show support the cause.

Monday’s Geelong event followed after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese kicking off a national week of action on the Voice on Saturday, with Parliamentarians, communities and Indigenous advocates beginning their referendum campaigns.

Mr Marles said an Indigenous Voice to Parliament would be a significant landmark in Australia’s history and have a material positive impact on the lives of First Nations people.

“It matters to get symbology right, because it reflects in the way people live their life,” Mr Marles said.

“We need to repair our country and make right the relationship between Australians and First Nations people.

“It’s not the final step of the journey – it’s just the critical next step, and a step we must take.

“We must rise above the particulars and understand the significance of the moment and take this step.”

Mr Marles also said he remained hopeful that the yes campaign could receive bipartisan support from the Federal Opposition.

The Liberal Party is yet to announce its position on the referendum, while its Coalition partner The Nationals will side with the no vote.

Ms Coker said the Voice vote was an opportunity for Australia to address Indigenous disadvantage within communities: “We must seize the opportunity with both hands.”

Ms Eccles spoke emotively about the history of dispossession and colonisation in Geelong and across Australia, including her own personal story of being part of the last remaining Wadawurrung bloodline.

“I speak as a Waduwurrung woman. Not everyone agrees with me, but a majority do: it’s time,” she said.

Prof Rose said he personally supported the yes vote but that Deakin would not take a formal position, instead encouraging debate on the merits of the proposal.

Ms Couzens also spoke of her late husband’s experience with racism and challenges accessing healthcare as an Aboriginal man, and urged Geelong voters to support the movement.

“If we don’t listen to First Nations people now, when are we going to?”

In Sydney on Saturday, Mr Albanese indicated the referendum was set to occur between October and December this year.