What is the Uluru Statement from the Heart?

The Uluru Statement is an invitation from First Nations Peoples issued to all Australians on 26 May 2017.

It is an act of self-determination. Twelve large meetings, or Dialogues, took place across Australia and culminated in a National Convention at Yulara near Uluru, with over 250 delegates. These delegates wrote and signed the Uluru Statement, agreeing to its components and reforms.

From its creation in 2017, the Uniting Church and UAICC have supported the Uluru Statement and its calls for Voice, Truth and Treaty.” The Synod of NSW and ACT also agreed to support the Statement in a 2019 resolution.

The Federal Government has announced that in 2023, Australia will go to a referendum to vote on a constitutional amendment that will enshrine an Indigenous Voice to

The Statement “calls for legal and structural reforms to reshape the relationship between First Nations Peoples and the Australian population” through two substantive changes: “Voice and Makarrata."

• Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution.

• A Makarrata Commission to supervise:

• Agreement making.

• Truth telling about our history.

The Statement calls for real and lasting structural change to our current systems of authority and decision making... It is a path forward for justice and self-determination for First Nations Peoples in this country.

A First Nations Voice to Parliament is the first reform called for in the Uluru Statement. It “will be a permanent body to make representations to the Australian Parliament and the Executive Government on legislation and policy of significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A series of design principles of the Voice to Parliament included:

1. The Voice will give independent advice to the Parliament and Government

2. The Voice will be chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people based on the wishes of local communities

3. The Voice will be representative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, gender balanced and include youth

4. The Voice would have specific remote representatives as well as representation for the mainland Torres Strait Islander population.

5. The Voice will be empowering, communityled, inclusive, respectful and culturally informed

6. The Voice will be accountable and transparent

7. The Voice will work alongside existing organisations and traditional structures

8. The Voice will not have a program delivery function

9. The Voice will not have a veto power”

WHY DO WE NEED TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION?

The Voice needs to be enshrined in the Constitution of Australia to ensure it remains a permanent part of our democracy. Constitutional enshrinement can only be achieved through a referendum. A referendum is the mechanism by which Australians can change the Constitution. A legislated Voice - made by passing a bill through Parliament - would have the authority of the Australian people. This would make it difficult for a future parliament to abolish the Voice without consulting First Nations or being subject to scrutiny.