The Justice and Equity Centre remains deeply committed to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its call for Voice, Treaty and Truth.
Issued by the First Nations National Constitutional Convention in 2017, the Uluru Statement was a powerful demonstration of the unity, strength, generosity and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It remains a critical roadmap to reconciliation based on truth and justice.
We were disheartened by the outcome of the Voice referendum and recognise the ongoing pain it causes to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country. But we believe the aspirations of the Uluru Statement can still be realised, through action by states, territories and the Commonwealth.
In Victoria, the First Peoples’ Assembly and the recent passage of truth-telling and Treaty Bills through the Victorian Legislative Assembly show what can be achieved through political will and First Nations-led reform.
We urge the NSW Government to commit to funding an elected, grassroots First Nations representative body, using the First Peoples’ Assembly as a model. That body can be an immediate pathway for First Nations people to provide advice to Government and work with community to develop pathways to state-based Treaty and Truth.
We warn against the Australian Government’s shift of focus to ‘economic empowerment’ without a commitment to real structural change. As Professor Megan Davis has explained, without a Voice to Parliament, these policies risk leaving many communities behind, privileging a small few while the majority continue to face entrenched disadvantage. They will not ‘close the gap’ or provide justice for First Nations people.
The journey to Voice, Treaty and Truth will be long and hard-fought. We have accepted the Uluru Statement’s generous invitation and will walk together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ‘in a movement of the Australian people for a better future’ for as long as it takes.
Our continued commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart
The Justice and Equity Centre remains deeply committed to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its call for Voice, Treaty and Truth.
Issued by the First Nations National Constitutional Convention in 2017, the Uluru Statement was a powerful demonstration of the unity, strength, generosity and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It remains a critical roadmap to reconciliation based on truth and justice.
We were disheartened by the outcome of the Voice referendum and recognise the ongoing pain it causes to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country. But we believe the aspirations of the Uluru Statement can still be realised, through action by states, territories and the Commonwealth.
In Victoria, the First Peoples’ Assembly and the recent passage of truth-telling and Treaty Bills through the Victorian Legislative Assembly show what can be achieved through political will and First Nations-led reform.
We urge the NSW Government to commit to funding an elected, grassroots First Nations representative body, using the First Peoples’ Assembly as a model. That body can be an immediate pathway for First Nations people to provide advice to Government and work with community to develop pathways to state-based Treaty and Truth.
We warn against the Australian Government’s shift of focus to ‘economic empowerment’ without a commitment to real structural change. As Professor Megan Davis has explained, without a Voice to Parliament, these policies risk leaving many communities behind, privileging a small few while the majority continue to face entrenched disadvantage. They will not ‘close the gap’ or provide justice for First Nations people.
The journey to Voice, Treaty and Truth will be long and hard-fought. We have accepted the Uluru Statement’s generous invitation and will walk together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ‘in a movement of the Australian people for a better future’ for as long as it takes.
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