Each time a new parliamentary sitting commences, one of the churches of Canberra hosts a service of worship, to which come the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, their parliamentary colleagues, and others connected with the workings of the Parliament. This year, at the start of the parliamentary year, the preacher was the Rev. Dr Sarah Bachelard, who is the Director of the Benedictus Community, which meets in Canberra and online.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament
Uluru Statement From the Heart
On May 26 2017, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates presented the Uluru Statement from the Heart to the Australian people. This followed 13 First Nations Regional Dialogues that deliberated on the proposals put forward by the Referendum Council and the four-day First Nations National Constitutional Convention at Uluru.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart represents a historic consensus of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in seeking constitutional change to enable a Voice to Parliament in the Constitution.
From the Heart is a campaign to engage Australians about why an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament enabled by the Constitution is a fair and practical change, and how it will unify our nation.
