Volunteering Australia is proud to be a member of the Allies for Uluru Coalition, made up of more than 275 community, non-government and corporate organisations from across the country that have come together to support the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, starting with the establishment of a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution.
Volunteering Australia has released a position statement for a First Nations Voice to Parliament supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in pursuing their right to self-determination. We strive to create space for truth telling and justice through our policy and practice.
As the national peak body for volunteering, we emphasise relationship-building with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – their researchers, community workers and organisations. We recognise that it is through the strength of our relationships with the Traditional Custodians of the land that we can represent the ‘national’ spirit of our work.
Volunteering Australia supports a ‘Yes’ vote in the Referendum. We consider the Voice as a necessary step among others to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples can guide public policy on issues that affect their social, spiritual, and economic wellbeing.
We commit to sharing information and accessible resources to help our staff and volunteers, our stakeholders, and the wider volunteering community understand what the Indigenous Voice means for the future of our country. We invite all our stakeholders and our allies to engage in an informed and respectful debate by consulting the following resources as a starting point:
- Referendum FAQs – Yes23
- Responding to Common Concerns – Australian National University
- Voice to Parliament Training Course – The Uluru Dialogue and From the Heart
- Voice to Parliament Overview – Reconciliation Australia Voice to Parliament Overview – Reconciliation Australia
- Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Through a Voice Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Through a Voice
- Uluru Statement: Fact Sheet Uluru Statement: Fact Sheet
POSITION STATEMENT – First Nations Voice to Parliament
