WITH a referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament expected sometime this year, Kingston Council has publicly endorsed the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart was launched in 2017. The statement calls for the establishment of an Indigenous Voice in Australia’s constitution to advise on future laws and other matters of significance.
Kingston councillor Hadi Saab said he is proud to be one of 38 Australian mayors to sign the “Mayors for the Voice to Parliament” public statement. “We are taking a stand at a critical time in the history of Australia and Kingston’s unanimous endorsement of the Uluru Statement from the Heart is a small but important way we are pushing for change,” he said.
“We proudly share this country with our First Nations peoples, the world’s oldest continuing culture, who have cared for this country for more than 60,000 years, but have endured appalling violence, dispossession, destruction of culture and exclusion from social and political decision-making. The time has come to accept the truths of our past and begin a new road forward in reconciling with First Nations peoples. Support for constitutional recognition for them – a voice in political decisions affecting them – is a key part of that journey.
“Council recognises everyone’s right to choose how to vote, and in the lead up to the referendum we want to ensure our community is well-informed to make their decision.”
The Indigenous Voice is expected to take the form of an advisory group. A date has not yet been set for the referendum to enshrine the Voice into the constitution, but it is widely expected to take place in the back half of this year.
Kingston councillor Steve Staikos says it is important for council to take a stance on what is a federal government responsibility. “This is a crucial issue in our country at the moment and we are happy to raise our collective voice in support of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members around Kingston and Australia. While some people may say this isn’t a council matter, I would argue grassroots knowledge, participation and awareness of the upcoming referendum is vital,” he said.
“We can’t hide from the truth about the historical and ongoing injustices our First Nations People endure and have endured and with the Voice to Parliament, a new relationship can be forged.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 22 February 2023