Australia’s peak reconciliation organisations have reaffirmed their strong support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament.
In an announcement released today, the Australian Reconciliation Network (ARN), comprised of reconciliation bodies from across the country at a national, state and territory level, urged supporters of reconciliation to join in the Voice Week of Action 18 – 24 February.
“We encourage all Australians to show support and find out more during the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Week of Action and to have conversations with friends and family, and show support as the Yes Campaign launches,” the announcement read.
Reconciliation Australian Chief Executive, Karen Mundine, said constitutional recognition and a greater say for First Nations peoples has been a central pillar of the reconciliation movement for decades.
“In 2000 our predecessor, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation presented its final report in which it called for a referendum for constitutional recognition, and stressed the critical importance of a greater First Nations voice in decisions that impact us,” said Ms Mundine.
“More than 20 years later the reconciliation movement is just as certain and just as passionate that these outcomes are central to Australia’s journey of reconciliation.
“This announcement is a clear expression of support for the three main actions in the Uluru Statement from the Heart; Voice, Treaty and Truth-telling and urges Australians to support the ‘Yes’ campaign.and to join in the coming week of action,” she said.
The ARN described the Uluru Statement from the Heart as ‘generous in its invitation to the Australian people’ and that it presented clear arguments for reforming the Australian Constitution.
“This year, we have the opportunity to make history, and answer that invitation at a referendum,” the announcement read.
Last week Reconciliation Australia announced the theme for National Reconciliation Week is, ‘Be a Voice for Generations.”
The theme calls on Australians to honour the work of generations past who fought for justice in Australia and to work together today to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation, including the Voice to Parliament, for the generations to come.
Read the full statement from the Australian Reconciliation Network.
The Australian Reconciliation Network is comprised of peak reconciliation bodies from across the country at a national, state and territory level: Reconciliation WA, Reconciliation Qld, Reconciliation NSW, ACT Reconciliation Council, Reconciliation Victoria, Reconciliation Tasmanaia, Reconciliation SA, and Reconciliation Australia.
See more info on Voice to Parliament.
