The Allies for Uluru, a coalition of nearly 300 social sector organisations, will be ramping up its efforts to ensure a ‘Yes’ vote for the Voice to Parliament now that a date has been set for the referendum.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced today that Australians will head to the polls on Saturday, 14 October to vote in their first referendum in 24 years.
The announcement represents another crucial step towards a ‘Yes’ vote, which would offer Australia a unique opportunity to progress human rights, justice and equality by ensuring the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are brought into the heart of our national dialogue.
With only six weeks until the referendum, leaders from Allies for Uluru are urging the thousands of Australians within their networks to have conversations with their friends, families and colleagues about the Voice and why it’s time to say ‘Yes’.
Whether it be through kitchen table conversations, attending community events or hanging ‘Yes’ signs in your home or business – no act is too small to help generate the groundswell of public support needed to ensure a successful referendum.
Allies must help build momentum for justice and real change alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, creating a more just and inclusive Australian society.
The Fred Hollows Foundation’s Social Justice and Regional Engagement Director Jaki Adams:
“The date is now set and we as Australians have the opportunity to say YES to a better future.
“One that ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are recognised as the First Australians and provides a mechanism for us to have a say on matters that affect us directly.
“We have and will be able to offer solutions that work - with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples voices being heard and respected.
"The invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart is recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the time for change – Acknowledgement, a Voice, Reconciliation, Agreement Making and Truth Telling – is now.”
ANTAR National Director Paul Wright:
"ANTAR stands with First Nations people in calling on Australians to vote 'Yes' in the referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our Constitution and establish the Voice to Parliament.
“We accept the generous invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and will continue doing all we can to urge our fellow Austrailians to walk together towards a better, more equitable future.
“It's time for change and we must seize this once in a generation opportunity to progress rights and justice for First Nations people."
Oxfam Australia Chief Executive Lyn Morgain said:
“We’re just six weeks away from a significant moment in our country’s history.
“It’s now time for every one of us who believes in a better future for all Australians to have those conversations and help plant the seeds to ensure a successful ‘Yes’ vote is delivered in October.”
ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie:
“Today’s announcement is another great milestone for us all, with the community sector a strong supporter of the campaign to deliver a ‘Yes’ vote at the forthcoming referendum.
“The Voice to Parliament will bring us a step closer to recognising and valuing the knowledge, expertise, and culture of First Nations peoples with a constitutionally-protected opportunity to be heard.
“We encourage everyone to accept the generous invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and get involved in the movement towards a better future.”
For media inquiries contact:
For more information or interviews with Oxfam, please contact Lily Partland on 0418 118 687 or lilyp@oxfam.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 ANTAR, please contact Phaedra Engel-Harrison on 0481 093 139, or phaedra@antar.org.au
For more information or interviews with ACOSS, please contact Stacey Batterham on 0419 626 155 or stacey@acoss.org.au