CEOs from Allies for Uluru, a cross-sector collaborative coalition of over 200 members, warmly welcome the historic passage of legislation to hold a referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
This landmark decision represents a significant stride towards a ‘Yes’ vote, and reflects a unified commitment to recognising and valuing the sovereignty, knowledge, expertise and culture of First Nations people.
Guided by First Nations-led campaigns such as the Uluru Dialogue and Yes 23, CEOs from Allies for Uluru are actively encouraging the thousands of Australians within their networks to help generate a groundswell of public support necessary to ensure a successful referendum.
Oxfam Acting Chief Executive Andrew Buchanan:
"Today's Senate vote marks a significant turning point in our nation's journey towards reconciliation and empowerment of First Peoples.
"Now is the time for attention to turn from parliament toward the Australian community. As a nation, we stand at the precipice of an unparalleled opportunity to make history by voting YES to a Voice to Parliament.”
ANTAR National Director Paul Wright:
“Another hurdle cleared, Parliament has now made way for the Australian people to decide if we will accept the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and choose to ‘walk together’ for something better.
“As the consideration of proper Recognition and Voice leaves the Canberra arena, It is a good thing that it will now be in our towns and cities, our communities and around our kitchen tables that we reflect on what is at stake.”
ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie:
“Today’s vote is a historic step towards recognising and valuing the knowledge, expertise, and culture of First Nations people.
“The Voice to Parliament will give First Nations people a constitutionally-protected opportunity to be heard and is a common sense way to secure policies that improve health outcomes, and reduce poverty and disadvantage.
“We encourage everyone to accept the generous invitation of the Uluru Statement and get involved in the movement towards a better future.”
The Fred Hollows Foundation CEO Ian Wishart:
"The passing of this bill paves the way for referendum and brings Australia one step closer to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are heard.
"We now have a real opportunity to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are brought into the heart of our national dialogue. Let's build on this momentum, step up into the conversation and encourage all to make an informed decision on the Voice."
For media inquiries contact:
For more information or interviews with Oxfam, please contact Lucy Brown on 0478 190 099 or lucyb@oxfam.org.au
For more information or interviews with ANTAR, please contact Phaedra Engel-Harrison on 0481 093 139, or phaedra@antar.org.au
For more information or interviews with The Fred Hollows Foundation, please contact Danielle Buckley on 0400 325 065 or dbuckley@hollows.org
For more information or interviews with ACOSS, please contact Stacey Batterham on 0419 626 155 or stacey@acoss.org.au
