Uniting Church Support for the Voice

The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) welcome the launch of the campaign to vote Yes in the Referendum which seeks the support of the Australian people for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice.

“We support the Yes vote for the Voice as a pivotal step toward the full implementation of the Uluru Statement, so that as a nation we can finally confront the truth of our past and present and make way for justice.”

Together Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis and UAICC Interim National Chair Rev Mark Kickett affirmed their strong support for a Voice to Parliament as a critical step toward honouring the sovereignty of First Nations Australians in this land and furthering the work of truth-telling and treaty.

“This is an historic opportunity for Australia to acknowledge and honour First Nations people and their deep spiritual ties to this land and to walk together as a nation toward a better future,” said Rev Hollis.

“We support the Yes vote for the Voice as a pivotal step toward the full implementation of the Uluru Statement, so that as a nation we can finally confront the truth of our past and present and make way for justice.”

Rev Kickett said now was the time for Australians to unite in support of justice for First Peoples.

“The Uluru Statement is an invitation given by First Nations people to the people of Australia,” said Rev Kickett. “A constitutionally enshrined Voice will shape and guide the relationship between First and Second peoples in this country by enabling our people to have a say in the decisions that impact our communities.”

“In the same way the 1967 Referendum brought Australians together, this is an opportunity for all of us to unite in a big way as we seek to restore justice and promote healing for First Nations people in this land,” said Rev Kickett.

Rev Hollis said the Voice to Parliament was a moral and theological issue, not a political one.

“In the Uniting Church we believe we share a common destiny with our UAICC siblings, and First Nations people. This is an opportunity for us to honour that commitment.”

“As Second Peoples and as Christians in this land, we are called to confront the oppression, dispossession and racism faced by First Nations people.”

Rev Kickett said the Covenant in the Uniting Church tied First and Second Peoples together in a binding way so that together we may contribute to a more just Church and nation.

“Now is the time for us to hear the call of God to seek justice by doing what is right for our nation,” said Rev Kickett.

“Like Jesus, we are called to be bearers of justice, not just in our words, but in our actions and by changing systems which continue to deny the place and rights of the first Australians.”

As the campaign begins, Rev Hollis and Rev Kickett encourage Uniting Church people and communities to inform themselves about the Uluru Statement and what it asks of our nation and to create respectful spaces for yarning about the impact a First Nations Voice will make.

Northern Synod Support

 

At the heart of the Uniting Church is a commitment to walk together with First Nations people in seeking justice. We seek to work and pray together as First and Second Peoples for more just, inclusive and equal relationships in the church and in this nation. Inspired by this commitment, we support a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice to Parliament as an historic opportunity to recognise and honour First Nations people and to walk together as a nation toward a better future.

The Uniting Church in Australia welcomes the announcement of 14 October as the date for the referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress National Interim Chair Rev Mark Kickett said today, “This is an exciting opportunity for the nation to come together as one and for First Nations people to finally be heard.”

“The Bible calls us to be sincere with love. To live in harmony with one another. The invitation of the referendum is to do better at how we care for one another.”

“14th October will be an opportunity for all of us – First and Second Peoples – to take a step toward healing and reconciliation with our past, and at the same time, provide a foundation for hope.”

Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis encouraged Uniting Church members and all Australians to get involved and to engage in respectful and positive conversations in the lead-up to the referendum.

“Now is the time to embrace this incredible opportunity to recognise and commit to listening to 60,000 plus years of history, culture, spirituality and wisdom. We know we can improve outcomes if we commit to hearing from First Nations people on issues impacting their lives and communities.”

“This will be a practical and powerful step forward of which we can all be proud. I encourage all Australians to vote yes to healing and hope.”