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.
The upcoming #referendum2023 is an historic opportunity to reimagine our nation.
It is our chance to come together to deliver real change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples so they can have a say and shape the work that affects them, for generations to come.
While we acknowledge differences of opinion including amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples and their communities, Mission Australia supports enshrining a Voice to Parliament in the constitution at the upcoming Referendum.
We also acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded and that holistic conversations and action around treaty and truth need to complement proposed changes regarding a Voice to Parliament.
Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) assist organisations to embed the principles and purposes of reconciliation throughout their businesses.
As members of a network of 2,450 organisations with Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) impacting 4 million Australians each day, our RAP commitments demonstrate our unwavering support of a reconciled future for our nation.
We come from a diverse range of sectors and work in every state and territory across this continent. We have been on the journey of reconciliation for many years. Our organisations are stronger because we have listened to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Recognition and voice have been at the heart of the reconciliation movement for decades.
Our organisations have accepted the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
We committed to the principles of voice, treaty, and truth well before 2023. That commitment remains strong and will endure.
Reconciliation is founded on respectful relationships. We urge all Australians to engage thoughtfully and respectfully as they educate themselves and others about this important opportunity.
Together, our organisations support a Voice to Parliament and a “yes” vote in the Referendum. We invite all Australians to join us as we take this step to make our nation a stronger, fairer, better place for all.
For a list of the organisations with a Reconciliation Action Plan and support for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, go here
https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/images/media-release/RAP-Partner-Statement-of-Support-July-2023-Webcompressed.pdf
Source
Image Source
