Wednesday, 22 February 2023

 Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (09:54): Uluru is a sacred place, a place where stories and songlines gather from time immemorial. To be there is to feel it – feel an ancient and powerful connection to this land. In 2017 a new story was created as the Uluru statement came to life in this sacred place, one where we sought to take our rightful place in our own country, where a call was made for fair and truthful relations with the people of Australia and a better future for our children. This year, after decades of waiting, our elders’ voices have been heard and we have been given the greatest opportunity to accept this olive branch, the Voice to Parliament.

It is a chance for all, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, to come together in the spirit of healing and reconciliation. It is a chance to right the wrongs of the past and move forward to a new, fairer chapter together, one where all First Nations people in every state and territory in this country are empowered to have their say on the issues that impact them. Here in Victoria we have already started on the process to voice, treaty and truth, a process that fills me with immense pride. That is why, as I stand here during the national week of action, I ask all of you to get involved in the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Let us get it done.