2023-05-12
Today the Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum presented its final report. The Committee has recommended that the Parliament passes the Constitution Alteration Bill without amendment.
The Committee held five public hearings, heard from 71 witnesses, accepted 270 submissions and received thousands of items of correspondence, including advice from the Solicitor General.
The Committee heard from eminent constitutional experts, lawyers, jurists and former High Court justices, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and community members.
The report is supported by a majority of Committee members including two non-Government members, Mr. Andrew Gee and Greens spokesperson for First Nations, and Yamatji Noongar woman, Senator Dorinda Cox.
Comments attributable to Australian Greens spokesperson for First Nations, and Yamatji Noongar woman, Senator Dorinda Cox:
“I have participated in the Committee hearings with open ears, open mind, and open heart. And I truly believe that this referendum can be a unifying moment for our country.
“I support the Committee’s final report, and with my Australian Greens colleagues we chose to make some additional comments to reiterate our party’s position on the Voice.
“We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart being enacted in full - Truth, Treaty Voice.
“While supporting the Yes vote at the referendum, we will continue to push the Albanese Government to demonstrate their commitment to Truth-telling and Treaty-making with First Nations people in the same way they have shown leadership on the Voice to Parliament.”