A survey released by the Australian National University has reinforced that October’s referendum might have passed if it had been confined to constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.
The Voice
Faith Community Support for First Nations Voice to Parliament
Prime Minister’s message to faith leaders on Referendum
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed a gathering of faith leaders asking them to vote Yes for the upcoming Voice referendum. Here is his full statement.
Online prayer and reflection service to be held before Voice vote
An online prayer and reflection service will be held tomorrow, ahead of Saturday’s referendum on constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Source: NATSICC.
South Australia: Faith Leaders support the Referendum for The Voice
Religions for Peace Australia supports the Uluru Statement’s Voice – Truth – Treaty. Aware of wrongs to Aboriginal people by faith groups, we do what we can in truth-telling and submissions on raising the age of incarceration etc.
RfP Tasmania supports the Voice to Parliament
Following the advice of the resident Aunty of Religions for Peace Tasmania Branch, Aunty Kris Schaffer, and the First Nations advisers of Religions for Peace Australia, Senator Patrick Dodson and Prof Anne Pattel-Gray, an announcement of support is given.
Mission Australia support for Voice to Parliament
Mission Australia believes that a Voice to Parliament enshrined in and protected by the Constitution is a vital first step to ensuring Reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians.
Parramatta Bishop’s pastoral letter on the National Referendum on the Voice to Parliament
In his letter to the Catholics of the Parramatta Diocese, Bishop Long says the referendum “will be a critical moment in the life of our nation. It will have implications for what kind of society we want ourselves to be”. Bishop Long said, “Enabling our First Nations People to have a say on the issues that affect them is a matter of the heart, common sense and justice”.
Darwin Bishop Expresses His Support for a ‘Yes’ Vote in the Upcoming Referendum on the Voice
Darwin Bishop Charles Gauchi has spoken on the important topic of the Voice and the referendum. This is an important matter that needs a lot of reflection. It needs a lot of soul-searching. Bishop Gauchi tells, ”For some time now, I have been convinced that I will cast a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Referendum on the Voice“.
Tension over church stances on Voice
Church leaders are being urged to prove their support for the Indigenous Voice despite the political risk of taking sides in the closing weeks of the referendum, amid concerns that some leaders are “hedging” after strongly backing the change earlier in the year.
The new call highlights questions over whether the nation’s peak faith groups will throw their active support behind the change to the Constitution when early voting begins next week, as some of their communities campaign for the Yes side.
South Australia: Interfaith Matters Forum September 2023
The Interfaith Matters Forum for September will be held on Wednesday, 27 September at the Pilgrim Church Hall, Adelaide, commencing at 6pm, The topic for this forum is Reflecting on The Spirit and The Voice – how do our values guide our intentions?
“A case for YES Referendum” – INTERVIEW WITH NOEL PEARSON – on behalf of Australian Faith Communities
On 15 September 2023, Dwayne Jeffries of Hope Media on behalf of Better Balanced Futures, representing the faith communities in Australia, interviewed Indigenous Elder Noel Pearson. During the interview, the Hindu community, Islamic communities, Buddhist communities and many others are referenced with regard to supporting First Nations Australia.
Supporting a Voice to Parliament: Brotherhood of St Laurence
The Brotherhood of St. Laurence supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart and a ‘yes’ vote in the forthcoming referendum on a First Nations Voice to Parliament. The Brotherhood of St Laurence provides a significant resource detailing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Voice to Parliament.
