LET THE CONVERSATION BEGIN

‘Yes’ supporters flooded the main streets of Kiama on the morning of 1 August to convince the community to vote in favour of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament at the upcoming referendum.

The National Day of Mobilisation was led by the local yes23 chapter, a non-political group, beginning in Hindmarsh Park at 10AM before marching towards the Kiama Blowhole and back into town. Participants stopped along the way to chat with other Kiama residents and visitors to discuss what exactly is included in the Voice and what isn’t. Australians will decide whether to establish an Indigenous Voice to

Parliament, which would serve as an advisory board to the Federal Government on issues affecting Indigenous Australians.

The Voice would not be able to implement its own policy or directly deliver services, but as its inclusion would require amendments to the constitution, a referendum must first pass to make it a reality.

Karen Forsyth from the Kiama Region for yes23 campaign kicked off proceedings by reminding participants what they were marching for.

“We need to listen to our Indigenous Australians by providing a Voice, a Voice that actually addresses issues that affect Indigenous people across the country. Why do we need to enshrine it? Because we can’t silence it because of different political tides that come and go.

“It needs to be respected in a bipartisan way, and that’s what today is all about. All across the country, Australians are coming together in a grassroots way, we are crossing political, ethnic and religious divides to say Yes. We have a choice at the referendum, we have a choice for unity, for reconciliation and for respect.”

The Bugle also caught up with Kiama Councillor Stuart Larkins, who was among the marchers, to discuss why it was important for him to attend.

“From my personal perspective, my mother is an Aboriginal woman from the Aboriginal community. This is an important issue about the recognition of our involvement and living in this area for a long time, having the heritage of the Wodiwodi people.

“From a Council perspective, Council has endorsed the Uluru Statement from the Heart and we’ve moved the motion to support the ‘Yes’ campaign. The Yes vote is very important for the constitutional change we need in Australia. Marchers who trekked up the hill to reach the Kiama Blowhole were rewarded with a spectacular sight of humpback whales breaching close to shore.

by Brendon Foye

Kiama Council resolved at its ordinary meeting in July to officially support the Voice to Parliament, with Cllr. Croxford the only member to vote against the motion. During the meeting, Cllr. Croxford proposed an amendment to the motion that Kiama Council should take a neutral stance instead, but this was shot down as it was considered to be against the original motion.

The Indigenous Voice to Parliament seeks to establish an advisory committee to the Federal Government to advise on issues affecting First Nations Australians. The Federal Government is yet to set a date for the referendum vote, but it is expected to occur sometime in October this year.

By Brendon Foye

Now even more care for

The report, based on leading research undertaken by Judith Stubbs and Associates, was launched at two events in Wollongong and Nowra. It examines the underlying causes of the crisis and identifies actions to grow affordable housing in town centres across the region.

Mr Zarth said that his organisation was responding to the concerns of local employers and business owners who were suffering acute workforce shortages and attributed them to a lack of affordable housing regionally.

“We knew that the housing challenge key workers face is particularly acute in our region, where they spend on average 40% of their income on rent, compared against the 30% national average,” he said.

“Today we have articulated the actions that each of us can take to address this issue, which is hampering economic growth and exacerbating difficult trading conditions for key sectors including hospitality, human services, retail and construction,” Mr Zarth added.

The research was supported by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation, Warrigal, MMJ Real Estate, the Housing Trust and the Property Council of Australia (Illawarra).

Kiama Council acknowledges that designated affordable housing development in Kiama is in very short supply. Council, through the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation, was consulted in the development of this important advocacy document and acknowledges the need for adequate housing to be available to support their key workers. “Kiama’s economy is supported by tourism, and it is crucial that we have housing available for employees of our small businesses, tourism operators and associated business,” Council said in a press release.

Currently Kiama Council has only one designated affordable dwelling, which is on land owned and leased by Council to the Housing Trust at peppercorn rates. This dwelling was built many years ago and has reached the natural end of the asset’s life. Council understands the property is in urgent need of redevelopment and is open to helping with relocating and