Indigenous voice to parliament: it’s time to embrace this chance for good of the nation

The crowd at Come Together for Yes Hosted By Yes23 to support The Uluru Statement from the Heart at Carclew Arts, North Adelaide. Picture: Emma Brasier

Six years ago, 250 Indigenous elders and leaders gathered at Uluru after the most extensive consultations with First Nations people this country has ever seen.

After more than a decade of discussion about constitutional recognition, long supported by both sides of parliament, the First Nations people gathered at Uluru for the National Convention finally had their say. In the Uluru Statement from the Heart they called for constitutional recognition through a voice.

“We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people to take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country.”

Not symbolism. But structural change that will help improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and move our great country forward together. At its core the Uluru Statement from the Heart is a statement of hope – a gracious request for all Australians to walk together to a better future. On Saturday, Australians have the opportunity to accept that generous invitation and give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a greater say in their future.

Because what is happening right now is not working. For too long, successive governments have spent billions trying to close the gap with little if any progress.

Australians are now more aware than they’ve ever been about the appalling statistics and the great divide in outcomes for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Life expectancy eight years shorter than non-Indigenous Australians. Children more than 11 times more likely to end up in out-of-home care. Young people more than 24 times more likely to end up in detention or jail. Adults 14 times more likely to be imprisoned.

We must all agree these statistics are unacceptable. We must all agree we need a new approach. And that new approach is the voice.

Linda Burney

The voice would be a committee, made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to provide advice about issues directly affecting their communities. This is our best chance to give Indigenous Australians the same chance at life as their fellow Australians. Throughout this campaign the No camp has tried to distract, confuse and scare people.

But the question Australians will answer this weekend is a simple one. Do you support a change to the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice? Yes or no.

Embracing this moment, and choosing yes for constitutional recognition through a voice is our best chance to ensure Indigenous communities are listened to, so we can get better results.

The voice will turbocharge our effort to make progress on closing the gap. We’ve got nothing to fear from listening and a lot to gain: better results and better use of taxpayer money.

The No campaign has no plan to make things better. Voting no means more of the same. It accepts that we can’t do better. Voting yes means listening. Voting yes means fixing the mess and moving our great country forward.

I am so proud of the Yes campaign, for bringing so many Australians together. Australians from all walks of life involved in the campaign share a vision for a better future. A future that recognises 65,000 years of culture and tradition and gives Indigenous people a say over their destiny.

AFL legend Michael Long

After walking from Melbourne to Canberra in support of the voice, AFL legend Michael Long beautifully said what this referendum is about: “It’s about love. It’s about listening. It’s about giving Indigenous people power over their destiny.” I urge Australians to open their hearts and vote yes for a better future. Because we owe it to the next generation – to do better.

Linda Burney is the federal Minister for Indigenous Australians.