What the new PM’s commitment to the Uluru Statement means

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already made one big commitment on his first day in the job. Here is what it actually means.

In his first speech as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese not only started by thanking the traditional owners of the land, but expressed the Labor Party’s commitment to the Uluru Statement of the Heart.

“I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet,” he said. “I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. And on behalf of the Australian Labor Party, I commit to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full,’ he said.

(L-R) Jim Chalmers, Penny Wong, Anthony Albanese, Richard Marles and Katy Gallagher pose for a photograph outside Government House after being sworn in. Picture: David Gray/Getty Images

What is the Uluru Statement from the Heart?

In a nutshell, the Uluru Statement from the Heart asks for constitutional change introducing a process by which the Australian government works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives when making decisions, so that the whole country is fairly governed.

It also asks for the Makarrata Commission — a Yolngu people word often used to mean ‘treaty’ — to be involved with and oversee decision making, and a process of truth-telling around the Indigenous experience.

“In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard,” the statement reads. “We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future”.

How was it created?

In 2017, Indigenous elders met with over 1,200 people around the country to draw up a statement — put forward as a petition by the First Nations National Constitutional Convention — calling for a ‘First Nations Voice’ in the Australian Constitution.

What does Labor’s support mean?

Albanese’s declaration is in stark contrast to the reactions of all previous governments to the requests of Uluru Statement from the Heart — so it’s no wonder it drew a big cheer from the crowd.

The only way to make such a change to the constitution is by holding a referendum. Unlike the Coalition who refused to hold one, Labor has promised to do so in its first term of government. It’s likely to happen in mid-2024.

The Party has introduced a First Nations Caucus Committee — led by Linda Burney and joined by WA senator Patrick Dodson, who is expected to be named as assistant Minister for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians. The Committee is expected to lead the process.

Linda Burney will be leading Labor’s First Nations Caucus Committee. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

If the referendum is successful, the implementation of Indigenous representatives in the country’s decision making will be made permanent.

The new Prime Minister said Labor would prefer there was bipartisan support for a referendum, also sharing that the statement was a “modest and gracious” request.

However, the pathway forward may not be so easy. The LNP still opposes a referendum, and a small group of senior MPs — including Peter Dutton — have even made it clear they’d actively try to stop it happening.

The Greens, while not opposed to an Indigenous voice in parliament, are pushing for a treaty first, and then a voice.

They’re doing so on the basis that Australia never had a treaty with Indegenous peoples and therefore “sovereignty from First Nations people was never ceded” — making this the priority.

What does a voice in parliament mean?

Giving a voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australian law and policy making would mean that all Aussies, and their needs, are considered.

From the Heart campaign director, Dean Parkin. Picture: supplied.

“With a long and at times divisive campaign behind us, the new parliament has an opportunity to bring Australians together in a historic moment of national unity,” said Dean Parkin, From the Heart campaign director in a statement.

“During the campaign we welcomed Anthony Albanese’s and Linda Burney’s election commitment to hold a referendum on a Voice in the next term of parliament. That time has now come”.

“Political leaders have had their say on this matter for more than a decade. It’s time to let the Australian people have theirs.”