As Australians prepare to vote on Saturday 14 October 2023, Christian and other faith communities across Australia will participate in a weekend of prayer, reflection and meditation for unity, hope and respect in the lead-up to the Voice Referendum on the weekend of 8-10 September 2023.
The Voice
Faith Community Support for First Nations Voice to Parliament
Nothing here is what it once was
This year, Australians will be asked to vote in a referendum to give our first nations people a Voice to Parliament. This will create constitutional change to give aboriginal people an advisory role in matters which affect them.
The Buddhist Council of NSW is playing a leading role in the Buddhist community to help inform our diverse member organisations about the referendum process and why it matters.
The Voice to Parliament came out of the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, which set out the reasons for enshrining a first nations voice in our constitution. Following this statement, in 2023, a series of essays from religious leaders was collected in a book, Statements from the Soul: The Moral Case for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, to lay out the moral case for constitutional change. The Buddhist perspective was provided by Sydney based monk, Bhante Sujato, reproduced below.
Read all the essays in the book Statements from the Soul: The Moral Case for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, edited by Shireen Morris and Damien Freeman, La Trobe University Press, 2023.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Voice to Parliament
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry – ECAJ, the peak national representative body of the Australian Jewish community, is delighted to invite you to an enlightening presentation and Q&A virtual session with Noel Pearson, as we delve into the significant topic of The Voice referendum in Australia on the evening of Wednesday 6 September 2023.
Anglican Bishop of Bunbury apologises to Noongar people for ‘past pain and suffering’
The Anglican Bishop of Bunbury said the church failed to challenge unjust government policies towards Aboriginal people.
Bishop Ian Coutts acknowledged Anglicans likely took part in massacres at Pinjarra in 1834 and Pinjarra in 1841.
Indigenous elder and pastor Dennis Jetta has thanked the Bishop for his apology.
Rev. Tim Costello and the Voice to Parliament
Rev. Tim Costello urges Australian Church pastors to courage as our nation approaches an important milestone in its history. Tim Costello tells, We are voting in a referendum, not a partisan election. This referendum was requested by an overwhelming majority of Indigenous leaders.
Religion and Social Policy Network, University of Divinity supports Voice to Parliament
The University of Divinity is proud to lend its support to the “Yes” campaign for the referendum to be held later this year on amending the Australian Constitution to create a Voice to Parliament. The University supports a comprehensive, national response to the invitation of the Uluru Statement From the Heart, including the call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution, and for a Makarrata Commission.
Islamic Council of Victoria #YES23 Launch
On Sunday 20th August, the Islamic Council of Victoria formally launched its Yes Support for the Voice at the Docklands library Hub. It was attended by members of the Victorian Muslim community and members of other faith communities.
National Sikh Council of Australia supports Voice to Parliament
Ajmer Singh Gill is president of the National Sikh Council of Australia and a contributor to Statements from the Soul: the moral case for the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Here, Sardar Ajmer Singh Gill gives an account of support by Sikhs for the Voice to Parliament.
Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils supports Voice to Parliament
The Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils supports Constitutional Recognition of First Nations Peoples as requested in the Uluru Statement.
Buddhist Council of NSW: Voice to Parliament Workshop
The Buddhist Council of NSW will conduct a workshop to learn more about the referendum that is being held later this year and to help develop a Buddhist response to the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The workshop will be on Saturday 2 September 2023 at the Wentworth Point Community Centre and Library.
Islamic Council of Victoria supports Voice
The Islamic Council of Victoria has issued a media statement giving support for the Voice to Parliament for First Nations. Muslims have a long history of rich engagement with the First Nations people of this continent. It predates European colonisation and encompassed trade, cultural exchange, and intermarriage.
Greek Orthodox Community: YES to the Voice
On Monday 28 August, The Greek Community of Melbourne will host indigenous Sheena Watt MP who will speak on the importance of The Voice to Parliament, how it will work and why voting ‘yes’ is integral to progressing Australia’s propensity for reconciliation.