Statement of support for The Voice by the NSW Ageing and Disability Advisory Board

The Uluru Statement from the Heart invites all Australians to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on ‘a trek …to a better future’.

They seek: 

"… constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country."

We support the proposal to change the Australian Constitution to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice that may make representation to parliament on matters relating to them (see below).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a right to participation in decision making that affects them. This participation is fundamental to achieving better outcomes for First Nations communities. The Voice is about listening and responding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ advice about fair, practical and meaningful change to improve their lives.

The Voice to Parliament will enable non-Indigenous Australians to listen to and hear Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ knowledge, experiences and wisdom. It is a step towards addressing the past and current injustices experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to moving forward as a fair and just nation.

The Board is responding to the Uluru invitation with a YES to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, to treaty and to truth telling. We are responding by saying yes to the invitation to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples ‘in a movement of the Australian people for a better future’.

The proposed addition to the Constitution that all Australians will be asked to vote yes or no to in the referendum, says:

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

1. there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
2. the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
3. the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.