Geelong Voice to Parliament forum: Key leaders urge community to vote yes

The Indigenous Australians Minister has urged Geelong residents to seize the moment and vote yes to a Voice to Parliament at a forum on Saturday, as a local leader explained why the vote was a “sliding door moment”.

The country’s Indigenous Australians Minister urged hundreds of Geelong residents to seize the moment and vote yes to a Voice to Parliament at a forum at the weekend.

Linda Burney, along with Corio MP Richard Marles and Corangamite MP Libby Coker, addressed a crowd of more than 250 people on Saturday at a Support the Voice forum at Geelong Library and Heritage Centre.

The Voice to Parliament will be voted on later this year, and if passed, would see an independent and permanent advisory board introduced to advise government on matters concerning First Nations people.

Ms Burney, the first woman who identifies as Aboriginal to serve as Indigenous Australians Minister, said the Voice was “finally” offering an opportunity to truly recognise First Nations people.

“This is our moment to move this country forward,” she said.

Corangamite MP Libby Coker, Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney and Corio MP Richard Marles presented at a forum on the Voice in Geelong. Picture: Michaela Meade

“The time has come, in 2023, to say yes to a Voice to Parliament, yes to recognition, and yes to First Peoples having a say on the issues that affect us.

“We have to grab this opportunity with both hands, because we have everything to gain, and nothing to lose.”

When Ms Burney asked what answer would be given to the question later in the year, a resounding “yes” came from the crowd.

Mr Marles said a key idea of Australia was “a fair go for all” that wasn’t being realised currently.

Close to 400 of Geelong residents attended the forum on Saturday. Picture: Michaela Meade

“Can we say there is a fair go for all when right now, by virtue of their birth, there is a group of Australians who live short lives, who receive less education, who are less healthy, and who are poorer,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“So long as the gap exists, it’s in fact an offence to the Australian idea of a fair go for all, and all we’re trying to do is to fix that.”

Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative chief executive Simon Flagg also spoke at the forum, encouraging people to do their own research, and remember “what you do matters”.

Mr Flagg said a Voice would allow First Nations people to make a difference in improving the lives of their community.

“We know what works, we know what doesn’t. So we’re asking for our voice to be elevated to the top of the decision making,” he said.

“It could be a sliding door moment.

“If we walk together, this country will be amazing.”

However, Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson has warned of the Voice being “legally risky, with unknown consequences”.

Ms Henderson and Nyunggai Warren Mundine AO, who advocates for the ‘no’ campaign, will speak at a community forum in Geelong on August 17 at Geelong West Town Hall from 6pm.

Originally published as Geelong Voice to Parliament forum: Key leaders urge community to vote yes