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.
How you can get involved
- Join a free Walking together workshop to learn more about the Uluru Statement from the Heart, First Nations Voice to Parliament and how you can take meaningful action towards reconciliation.
- Explore other events to help you find out more about the proposal before making a decision. Visit What’s On for details.
- Read about the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
- There are additional materials online, if you want to learn more.
- If you are an Australian citizen over the age of 18, make sure you are enrolled to vote.
- Book one of our hireable community spaces to hold a community event or activity on the Voice to Parliament or Uluru Statement from the Heart. Eligible groups can apply for a fee waiver.
- If you are a recognised community organisation, you can apply for venue hire support sponsorship to get help to host a free public event supporting the campaign for a ‘Yes’ vote in the Voice to Parliament referendum in one of our landmark venues. Applications close Saturday 30 September.
Support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart
The City of Sydney has long supported constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In 2018 Council resolved to:
- recognise the unique status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as custodians who have nurtured this land for tens of thousands of years and have an immutable connection to Country
- support the recommendations of the Uluru Statement from the Heart to empower the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Nations peoples
- support the recommendations of the Referendum Council's final report for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Nations voice to the Commonwealth Parliament that is enshrined in the Constitution
- support the establishment of a Makarrata Commission to oversee agreement making between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and truth-telling about our shared history.
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
Published 19 April 2023, updated 8 September 2023
