Australia is dwelling to the oldest steady tradition on earth. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folks have been caring for land and sea Nation for millennia.
This yr, Australians are being requested to vote in a referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the Structure and to determine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific wholeheartedly helps writing ‘Sure’ on this referendum.
This referendum follows the Uluru Assertion from the Coronary heart. The Assertion – which is definitely one of the lovely and poetic paperwork in Australian historical past – makes clear that “with substantive constitutional change and structural reform, we consider this historic sovereignty can shine via as a fuller expression of Australia’s nationhood.”
In December 2020, Greenpeace Australia Pacific formally accepted the beneficiant open invitation contained within the Uluru Assertion, to stroll ahead collectively as a part of a motion of the Australian folks for a greater future.
At present, once more, we specific our full help for writing ‘Sure’ within the referendum; sure to a greater future the place First Nations folks have a larger say in points that have an effect on First Nations communities.
Our shared hope
Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s mission is to safe an earth able to nurturing life in all of its magnificent variety—a imaginative and prescient that may solely be lastingly achieved with a extra honest and simply world, placing folks and nature on the coronary heart of decision-making.
It’s a assertion of the plain, that for the First Nations folks of this continent, equity, justice and equality haven’t been realised, due to the persevering with legacy of colonisation, ignorance, racism and discrimination.
First Nations folks have been caring for Nation for millennia. The management and participation of First Nations folks is important in shaping insurance policies that defend our local weather and future generations.
However Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experience and views are usually not adequately represented in shaping nationwide insurance policies.
First Nations communities are additionally on the frontline of local weather change impacts, reminiscent of worsening droughts, bushfires, and floods.
However unfair authorities coverage prevents them from having an equal say in insurance policies that have an effect on them.
We all know that insurance policies are simpler when these affected have a voice. This referendum is a step in the fitting route in direction of substantive change in enhancing how insurance policies are made.
Writing ‘Sure’ to a Voice to Parliament would allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folks to have a real say within the creation of the legal guidelines, insurance policies and applications that impression upon their rights; and to make sure that their voices are heard by decision-makers who, for too lengthy, have discounted the voices of First Nations folks.
I’m assured {that a} ‘Sure’ vote, resulting in the institution of the Voice to Parliament will even obtain higher outcomes in setting and local weather—in addition to well being, schooling and justice—by guaranteeing that First Nations communities are represented in shaping nationwide insurance policies.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific reaffirms our persevering with help for the Voice to Parliament, and urges our members and supporting neighborhood to vote ‘Sure’ within the upcoming referendum.
Let’s write ‘Sure’ to maneuver ahead from our previous and progress collectively in direction of a brighter future.