Wednesday, 30 August 2023

Voice to Parliament

Lee TARLAMIS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:49): Right across Australia people are having conversations about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, and I have been proud to join with our diverse multicultural and multifaith communities in the south-east and across the state as they have come together to discuss the benefits of constitutional recognition through the Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. This discussion has focused on how this will contribute to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and the significance of being heard in the decision-making process of our federal Parliament and government. Disappointingly, there is an enormous amount of misinformation circulating out there, so it is important to remember that this is a defining moment for our country, with the Voice providing an opportunity to make Australia stronger and more united.

Saying yes is fundamentally about two things: recognition and listening. Finally recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s constitution as the longest continuous culture anywhere in the world, over 65,000 years, this referendum is an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge this in an important and meaningful way, and it is also about establishing the Voice to Parliament to ensure we are listening to them on the issues that affect their lives. It will put First Nations people back in control of their own affairs, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights respected, and we know when this happens outcomes improve. In a country and state as diverse as ours, which prides itself on inclusivity, our multicultural and multifaith communities understand the significance of this, and I have been extremely proud of their role in advocating for a yes vote. It is testament to the power of the wonderful, vibrant and diverse communities to unite, raise their voices and push Australia towards a fairer, more inclusive future. We can get this done together. I invite everyone to be on the right side of history by voting yes.