Why we support a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution
The City of Sydney has supported the long campaign for the Australian constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The City of Sydney has supported the long campaign for the Australian constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
In 2018 Council resolved to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and more recently resolved to support the yes vote for a Voice to Parliament.
Australia is a diverse nation with a rich cultural heritage that dates back 65,000 years. The First Peoples of Australia have deep and enduring connections to this land.
However, our 122-year-old constitution still does not recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart proposes that a Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Australian Constitution is a meaningful way to make this recognition a reality.
The Voice would provide advice to parliament and federal government, giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples more of a say in matters that affect their lives and communities.
In March 2023, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced wording to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament in the constitution.
To change the Constitution, there needs to be a referendum. The referendum on Saturday 14 October, will ask the Australian people a single question. The referendum question is:
A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?
This is a significant moment in our history.
The City of Sydney encourages the community to learn more about this important issue.
The City of Sydney has long supported constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In 2018 Council resolved to:
The City of Sydney is also a major sponsor of the Sydney Peace Prize which was awarded to Megan Davis, Pat Anderson and Noel Pearson in 2021/22 as representatives of the National Convention and Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1kcRbqFWYY
Authorised by Clover Moore in Sydney on behalf of Sydney City Council
Choose the news that interests you
Sign upAs we commemorate Anzac Day, we look in our archives to explore the involvement of Sydney Municipal Council in World War 1 and the war’s aftermath.