IEU statement on the Voice

Endorsed at IEU Council on 17 June

The IEUA NSW/ACT Branch acknowledges the ongoing sovereignty of the traditional owners of the land on which we live and work.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to the Australian people to walk with First Nations people to create a better future. It is a historic opportunity where all Australians can come together to realise our nation’s true potential.

The IEU passed a resolution in support of the Uluru Statement of the Heart at its Annual General Meeting in 2020. The IEU supports the Statement’s core objectives of Voice, Treaty and Truth to achieve justice, recognition and respect for First Nations people. The Statement called “for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.” In March 2023, IEU Council passed a motion to actively campaign for a ‘yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum.

As an education union, our work affirms the basic human right of all peoples to have equal access to education and employment without discrimination. As unionists, we believe that all workers and all people deserve to be consulted about changes in the workplace and in society that affect us. We believe that by speaking up collectively, we can make positive change that benefits us all.

The Voice to Parliament is a natural reflection of union values of consultation and collective voice. Enshrining a Voice to the constitution will enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide advice to the Parliament on policies and projects that impact their lives. The IEU commits to support the ‘Yes’ campaign to deliver constitutional recognition.

We acknowledge and respect that everyone is entitled to reach their own decision come the referendum.

As unionists, we are proud to stand in solidarity with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters in the hope that our community will join us this year to bring about historic and positive change to our constitution and our society.

As the Uluru Statement from the Heart concludes, “We invite you to walk with us in a movement of Australian people for a better future”.