Local MPs back ‘yes’ campaign

A SECOND ‘yes’ campaign for an Indigenous voice to parliament gathering was held at Rosalind Park last week with the meeting bringing together local politicians.

Deputy Premier and Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan, and Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards, were both on hand at the gathering organised by Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters.

Ms Allan said it was great to see the local community get behind the ‘yes’ campaign.

“It’s great to see such a strong showing of support from the Bendigo community for saying yes to the voice, for saying yes to recognising the oldest continuous culture in our constitution,” she said.

“It is critically important, to show that there is strong support for this in our community, across regional communities.”

A referendum will be held later in the year to decide on an Indigenous voice to parliament and Ms Allan said it was important to get as much information out there in the meantime, which she credited Ms Chesters for doing.

“I want to pay tribute to Lisa Chesters for bringing this campaign together today and the ongoing campaign that will happen as we lead up to the referendum this year,” she said.

“What the yes campaign here and the work Lisa is leading is about making sure the information is made available.

“It’s the right thing to do, it’s the right thing to recognise the oldest continuous culture in our constitution and that’s why it’s important to make sure the information is made available to the Central Victorian community.”

An official date for the referendum is yet to be announced.