The board and executive of First Nations Foundation unanimously support the Voice to Parliament in its entirety. The importance of this referendum to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people cannot be understated. The Voice ensures that First Nations people will always have an active role to play when governing bodies make decisions that impact our communities.
To answer a frequently asked question: Why change the constitution, and not just make it legislation?
As we’ve seen with past legislation, it can be changed by any sitting government. There would not need to be consultation with voters, and a government with a majority in both houses could pass changes to legislation with ease. By changing the constitution, it becomes a matter for all Australians. We own the decision, and know that it can’t be changed by a government who, at any given time, may disagree with having a Voice to Parliament.
This referendum will present a simple question to Australiato alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”: Yes or No. A Voice to Parliament will not only allow ordinary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to speak of solutions for issues and problems, both big and small, that we face, but to also speak of our hopes and aspirations for the present and future generations.
Initiatives that are Indigenous-designed and -led create better outcomes and is a proven approach to working in Indigenous affairs. First Nations Foundation is Indigenous-led, with all training created by and for First Nations people. Our results and impact are far more significant than our non-Indigenous counterparts operating in this space.
If you would like to know more about how this referendum will affect you, tune in to our upcoming webinar where we will be discussing how corporate Australia may be affected by these changes. Above all else, we would like to encourage individuals to actively seek information from trusted sources to form their own perspectives. We recommend resources such as yes23.
Ian Hamm - Chair
