Treaty -
Constitution -
Support for the Uluru Statement is not universal in the Indigenous community. In fact, seven delegates walked out of the national convention in 2017 where the statement was first endorsed because they believed treaties were required immediately, not a referendum.
Meanwhile, the Greens party grabbed headlines during the election campaign because of its stance. It would prefer to create a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which would essentially have the same job as the Makarrata Commission, before an Indigenous Voice. This would reverse the order of events set out in the Uluru Statement, which urges the creation of a Voice first because it would politically empower First Nations people. However, Greens leader Adam Bandt later clarified that his party would not stand in the way of Labor’s move to hold a referendum in this term of parliament.
Labor may have won the election, but there is still a long road ahead to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full – and with three processes to set in motion, it is likely that it will take more than one term to get the job done.
We 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.
Uluru Statement from the Heart
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to the Australian people from First Nations Australians. It asks Australians to walk together to build a better future by establishing a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution, and the establishment of a Makarrata Commission for the purpose of treaty making and truth-telling.
Listen to the Uluru Statement from the Heart by Professor Megan Davis, member of the Referendum Council here.
Finding Our Heart by
Author Thomas Mayor's journey around Australia with the Uluru Statement has been a moving experience. In particular, when he visited schools he was inspired by the children he spoke with. Unlike past generations, Australian children today are learning Indigenous languages, seasons and the truth of this country's history. Some children he met even knew more about the Australian Constitution than most adults do! The expression 'through a child's eyes' is put into practice in the pages of this picture book for 5- to 10-year-olds. Thomas hopes that by talking to the guardians of future Australian generations, perhaps we can all accept what First Nations have proposed in the words of the Uluru Statement.
1991–2000 – the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation progressed the reconciliation process through education, research and partnerships. This culminated in the Australian Declaration towards Reconciliation, the Roadmap for Reconciliation, and the pinnacle of Corroboree 2000 – 250,000 people crossing Sydney Harbour Bridge in the People's Walk for Reconciliation.
2012–2017 – Reconciliation Australia conducted the Recognise awareness campaign, designed to raise community awareness of Constitutional Reform.
July 2015 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders met with the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader. They emphasised the importance of hearing First Nations voices for an understanding of constitutional recognition for First Nations peoples, substantial reform and practical difference for successful constitutional recognition.
December 2015 – The Referendum Council was established to oversee deliberative regional dialogues designed and led by First Nations people.
May 2017 – Representatives from the regional dialogues selected to attend the First Nations Constitutional Convention at Uluru. Uluru Statement from the Heart created following the Convention.
July 2022 – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveils the proposal for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament at the Garma Festival in East Arnhem Land (watch the speech 22:27)
While the Uluru Statement from the Heart includes truth-telling and a treaty, a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament is the first step that the government plans to take. If it goes ahead, it will be the first referendum since the republic vote just over 20 years ago.
Today, Professor Gary Foley, senior lecturer of history at Victoria University, on the lessons we should take from history and his hope for genuine change.
Will the Voice to Parliament empower communities? (7 Feb 2023)
This week, a group of Indigenous leaders from communities across the country are in Canberra to argue their case for a Voice to Parliament. Tyronne Garstone is one of the members of Empowered Communities and the CEO of the Kimberley Land Council he joined RN Breakfast.
How history can help shape the debate about an Indigenous voice to Parliament (3 Aug 2022)
In the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are calling for an Indigenous Voice to parliament. While they haven’t set out how that would work there are models we can look back on. Ever since the referendum of 1967 federal governments have attempted and failed to set up administrative organisations to give Indigenous Communities a say in their own affairs. As we once again debate how we acknowledge Australia’s first people - what if anything can we learn from those past attempts?
Find your Voice with Zoe Daniel
Find Your Voice Podcast: Zoe is joined by Professor Marcia Langton to discuss the Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum
