Published on 16 August 2023
Australians will have their say in the upcoming referendum about whether to change the Constitution to create an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
The Voice is the first change asked for in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which is a statement and invitation from First Nationals peoples, asking to help raise Indigenous rights. We officially recognised this statement as part of our current Reconciliation Action Plan. This plan helps us take meaningful actions to progress reconciliation.
We have been speaking with our Traditional Owner groups — Boon Wurrung Land and Sea Council, Bunurong Land Council and Wurundjeri Tribe Land Corporation) and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. We have also been closely following the response from other councils, organisations and corporations that have publicly supported the Voice.
Reconciliation Australia asks that all organisations who have reconciliation action plans to show their support to both the Voice and the Uluru Statement from the Heart by signing a joint statement of support for the Voice. At the ordinary Council meeting on Tuesday 15 August 2023, the Mayor made this statement in support of the Voice.
Glen Eira City Council supports a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament for First Nations peoples. The Voice is a positive step forward in achieving greater equality.
It will enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to have their say to government on the policies and decisions that affect them. We believe communities thrive when they control their own destiny.
We welcome and support the Federal Government’s pledge to hold a referendum in late 2023. This will enable Australians to vote on whether to change the Constitution to recognise First Peoples of Australia by enshrining the Voice.
We honour the rich histories and cultures of First Nations’ peoples. We recognise and value the important contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in enriching our community.
As outlined in our Reconciliation Action Plan March 2022–March 2024 Innovate, we proudly support the Uluru Statement from the Heart. We are committed to supporting truth-telling as an important step on the path to reconciliation.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart invites us to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People on the journey to a better Australia.
We acknowledge there are different views around the Voice. We respect everyone’s right to express their views and to choose how to vote. And we want to help ensure our community is well-informed to decide.
As a council, we are committed to reconciliation. We acknowledge that we are on a journey of learning. We continue to work actively in partnership with Boon Wurrung/Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders.
We are committed to actively engaging with Glen Eira’s Traditional Custodians on how Council can support the Voice. We will seek their views on how we can build community awareness and encourage informed community conversations about the referendum.
First Nations people do experience disadvantage. We must address this through more meaningful opportunities to increase self-determination and autonomy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
It’s now the time for all Australians to listen to and understand what First Nations people seek. We all have a responsibility to make an informed decision when voting in the referendum.
We are hosting a series of information sessions for sharing of clear and factual information from the Federal Government about the referendum. These will be opportunities for the community to come together in a culturally safe space, to have respectful conversations and promote greater understanding of the Voice.
Well-informed views enable a successful referendum.
If you want to know more about the upcoming referendum planned for Saturday 14 October, please join us at Mallanbool Reserve on the following dates;
Location: Mallanbool Reserve, corner Leila Road and Boake Street, Murrumbeena
The reserve located in Murrumbeena, is a cultural and botanical trail showcasing the history of the original inhabitants of the area, the Kulin clans. The Reserve features a series of descriptive soundposts containing information about the Kulin Nation and the botanical species that once grew in this area.
For further details, contact aboriginal@gleneira.vic.gov.au
07 July 2019
NAIDOC Week (7 to 14 July) celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
08 July 2019
Last week Council approved a shortlist of potential purchasers for its three residential aged care facilities — Spurway, Rosstown and Warrawee.
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