Please visit the Yes 23 website for more information.
Statement:
Reynard Street Neighbourhood House supports a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum on a First Nations Voice to parliament.
We support the referendum because we believe it aligns with RSNH values of inclusion, integrity, and respect.
Statement in broader context:
Dear RSNH community,
Later this year all of Australia will be asked to vote in a referendum to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
What is a referendum?
A referendum is a special kind of vote.
Usually we vote to choose who represents us in government. A referendum is special because it is a vote to change the Constitution. The Constitution is a very important set of laws that outlines how Australia is governed.
The government can’t change the Constitution without a referendum so the Constitution is more permanent and secure than usual laws.
Later this year, there will be a referendum to decide whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
What is the First Nations Voice?
At the moment, First Nations people (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) can’t advise the government directly about the laws and policies that affect them. Non-Indigenous people make decisions about things that affect First Nations communities without their approval or advice.
The referendum later this year is an opportunity to change this, to be more fair, and to start a process at the level of government that addresses the inequalities First Nations experience.
Voting YES is an opportunity to allow a representative group of First Nations people to make recommendations in Parliament about things that affect them.
The referendum.
The question to be put to the Australian people at the 2023 referendum will be:
“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 this proposed alteration?”
The Committee of Management of Reynard Street Neighbourhood House has voted unanimously to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice and issue the following statement:
Reynard Street Neighbourhood House supports a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum on a First Nations Voice to parliament.
We support the referendum because we believe it aligns with RSNH values of inclusion, integrity, and respect.
Over the coming months RSNH will explore different avenues for supporting the Voice to Parliament and would welcome any respectful discussion on the subject.
With thanks,
RSNH Committee of Management
