Johnathan Thurston voices his support for Uluru statement proposals

Rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston has thrown his support behind the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Johnathan Thurston. Picture: Matt Taylor

Rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston has thrown his support behind the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which recommends a constitutionally enshrined “voice to parliament”.

The former Australian rugby league player and Queensland and North Queensland Cowboys captain said he would like to see all recommendations of the Uluru statement implemented.

“That is another giant step forward for our people — the Uluru statement,” Thurston told The Australian. “We have come a long way over the last 15 to 20 years and this is further progress in recognising indigenous peoples.”

The Uluru statement, made by leading indigenous figures in 2017, was rejected by then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who said a constitutionally enshrined voice would act as a “third chamber of parliament”.

Scott Morrison also opposes it and is instead creating a “voice to government” that will not be enshrined in the Constitution.

Anthony Albanese has vowed to implement all recommen­dations from the Uluru statement if Labor wins the next election, including a Makarrata Commission that would enable treaties between governments and indigenous communities.

Thurston was at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday for the release of the 12th Closing the Gap report, which showed failure to meet most of the targets set by Kevin Rudd in 2008.

Thurston backed the NRL for agreeing to not play Advance Australia Fair at the Indigenous All Stars match later in February, following protests from Aboriginal players who did not want the ­anthem to be sung.

“My understanding is the anthem won’t be sung,” Thurston said. “If you speak to a lot of the players who are in the indigenous side, they don’t believe that the ­anthem represents themselves or their families.”

Thurston said he would always sing Advance Australia Fair out of respect for members of his family who had gone to the battlefield on behalf of Australia.

“My view is different, due to the fact I have had family members who have fought for this country in war. That is why I will always continue to sing the national anthem on their behalf because of the sacrifices they have made for this country,” he said. “But I certainly do support the playing group taking the stand they have.”

He also said he supported the Prime Minister’s plan to include more input from indigenous figures in a revised Closing the Gap strategy.

“I think it is a giant step forward now that we had people of our culture having a seat at the table making the decisions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” Thurston said.

“We have got a journey to embark on now to obviously close the gap and reach those targets.”