Voice to Parliament
Kat THEOPHANOUS (Northcote) (10:06): Right now the ballot boxes are open for Australians to cast their votes in the Voice referendum. It will be the first time many Australians have voted in a referendum. It was for me when I attended the early voting centre in Thornbury on Monday and wrote ‘Yes’ on my ballot paper. The significance of this historic national decision point cannot be overstated. We have a moment in time – this moment right now – to change the lives and futures of First Nations people for the better. It is not overly complicated. The referendum asks for a yes or no on a simple proposition: recognising First Nations people in the Australian constitution and consulting with First Nations people about the issues that affect them. There has been a lot of quality, insightful debate over past months on this question. Sadly there has also been plenty of misinformation and co-opting of the issues. A yes vote does not take anything away. It moves us forward as a nation in the understanding that listening, recognising and working collaboratively is at the heart of our democracy. In Victoria our First Peoples’ Assembly is already modelling what can be achieved when we actively listen to and embrace the wisdom and self-determination of First Nations people. The referendum is a chance to tangibly change lives, when for too long and on too many measures we have been going backwards. It is a call not from politicians but directly from First Nations Australians, made together in the shadow of Uluru. No matter your politics, I hope you will join in writing yes on your ballot paper.