Towards The Voice: The next steps from Uluru

By Mark Waters

‘In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard ... We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.’

The Uluru Statement from the Heart (26th May, 2017) was supported by the councils of the Uniting Church and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress at both national and state levels. This support has led us, as Allen Edwards has stated earlier in this issue, upon a journey towards ‘Voice. Treaty. Truth.’

At the June 2023 Synod meeting it was resolved by agreement that the Synod support the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution, and affirmed the right of First Nations peoples to self-determination.

Later this year Australians will vote in a Referendum to respond ‘Yes or No’ to the following question in principle: ‘A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve of this proposed amendment?’

The resolution at Synod respects the fact that we are in a Covenant relationship with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, and their Regional Council has supported The Voice. The resolution also recognises that a Referendum allows all people to have a private choice at the ballot box, and we as a church need to respect all choices.

All members and supporters of the Uniting Church are encouraged to be informed about the Referendum, weigh up the ‘Yes and No’ cases as they are presented, and vote according to your judgement and heart.

If you wish to promote discussion around The Voice, the National Assembly has supported Together Yes which allows for ‘kitchen table conversations’ around people’s views.

The link is: https://uniting.church/together-yes/

An information booklet about ‘The Voice’ is available from the Australian Government, National Indigenous Australians Agency, and is available at this link: https://voice.gov.au/resources/ information-booklet

Copies are also available from Reception in the Synod office, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide.

Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a Voice

Information Booklet

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present.