The Voice to Parliament: Statement of Support
‘From little things, big things grow’.
The Voice represents a huge opportunity for all Australians. Karri Karrak implores you to make an informed decision when you step up at the polling station on Saturday, 14 October 2023.
There is a lot of fear, uncertainty and doubt surrounding this campaign. Information and misinformation. All based on hope, aspiration, and fact – or the opposite. We share our thoughts as the Directors of Karri Karrak with you – our members, valued stakeholders, and broader community.
For all Australians:
Looking forwards, after a YES outcome; Australia will be able to celebrate its true and full history. We will no longer be a nation ‘born’ in 1788 – a mere 250 years ago; rather the long history of our nation will be recognised – the 60 000 plus years. We will be able to celebrate the ongoing culture, connection and contribution of our First People fully.
A YES outcome at the referendum will finally recognise us as the First Peoples of this nation in our Constitution – a very significant flaw in Australia’s most significant document as it stands today. This is a cornerstone opportunity for our nation. It will set Australia up for a more inclusive and respectful future.
Today, the majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia believe in this opportunity and will vote YES. These same people represent only 4% of the Australian population. If we as First People were all to vote YES, this would not impact the primary outcome. We need the broader Australian community to stand with us on polling day to make an informed decision to vote YES – that includes you.
For First Peoples across Australia:
A Voice is a step towards us, as First Peoples, determining our outcomes with structural changes which will enable local and regional voices to be heard at the national table. It will enhance our
agency for real change. This will help inform place based practical policy and program approaches to address matters that impact us, such as Close the Gap – this year the Federal Government reported progress against only four of the 19 Closing the Gap Program targets.
Most Australians recognise the current approach to ‘our’ affairs is not working. We need step change.
We respect we do not understand what a Voice will yet enable. This will be legislated after the outcome and will change over time as it is practised. We see this in all policy and across all federal, state, and local government programs. A no vote will change nothing for all of us, a YES vote will change something – we can work with something.
Please inform yourselves ahead of 14 October. Consider your vote and reflect on when we as a nation have made decisions based upon fear and uncertainty or with hope and courage. We look forward to walking alongside you.
Stand with us - Vote YES.
