Today, Uniting Vic.Tas, the community services organisation of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania joined over 180 civil society organisations across the country under the banner of Allies for Uluru Coalition, in welcoming and endorsing the agreed wording for constitutional change and a First Nations Voice to Parliament.
Uniting Vic.Tas has heard the message from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders through the Uluru Statement From the Heart seeking Voice, Treaty, Truth and we accept the generous offer contained therein to walk together towards a better future.
“We stand with and honour the First Nations people of this country and their call for this simple and modest reform to The Australian Constitution”, says Uniting Vic.Tas CEO, Bronwyn Pike.
We also join the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) in supporting the Yes vote for a Voice and in recognising this as a pivotal step toward the full implementation of the Uluru Statement:
“The Uluru Statement is an invitation given by the First Nations people to the people of Australia”, Rev Kickett of the UAICC said. “A constitutionally enshrined Voice will shape and guide the relationship between First and Second peoples in this country by enabling our people to have a say in the decisions that impact our communities” – extract from Uniting Church in Australia Assembly and Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) Media Release 24 February 2023
“This is an historic moment for all Australians”, Ms Pike said. “We must come together and vote Yes to changing our constitution and recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians as our First Peoples.”
“We have also heard from our First Nations’ workforce from across Victoria and Tasmania who came together in early 2023 and discussed the importance of Uniting, as a mainstream organisation, standing as an ally in the push for constitutional recognition and a Voice to Parliament.”
“It is the first step to addressing the wrongs and injustices of the past and giving First Nations people a long overdue voice on the issues that affect their lives.”
