2023-06-19
The Australian Greens have commended the passage of the Constitution Alteration Bill through the Senate, saying that the passage of the legislation marks an important day on the path towards Treaty and Truth-telling.
The Greens were the first party to endorse the Statement from the Heart in full - and now, with the legislation through the Parliament, the Greens encourage the Government to announce a referendum date and for the Yes23 campaign to ramp up its efforts to turn out the vote.
Greens MPs will be supporting the grassroots Yes23 campaigns through the coming months, and are looking forward to a community-led push for the referendum to succeed as the next step towards delivering on all the commitments in the Statement from the Heart.
Senator Dorinda Cox will also today move a motion co-signed by NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy on behalf of the Labor Government, confirming our shared commitment to following a Voice referendum with further reforms that deliver First Nations self determination, Truth and Treaty in this term - and which also reaffirms the advice of the Constitutional Expert Group that Sovereignty would not be impacted by the proposed alteration to the constitution.
Before confirming their position on Voice, the Greens pushed the government to provide assurances that First Nations Sovereignty would not be impacted through the referendum process. As the campaign begins, the Greens say we must be progressing all elements of the Statement from the Heart - pushing the government to build on their initial $5.8 million for a Makarrata Commission to further progress on Truth-telling and Treaty-making.
On Friday, WA Senator Dorinda Cox lodged a motion on behalf of the Australian Greens, supported and co-signed by NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy on behalf of the Labor Government, that affirms the commitment of both parties to the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, and confirms the Sovereignty of First Nations people will not be impacted by the Voice to Parliament.
The motion passed the Senate on Monday afternoon 32-29, following the vote on the Constitutional Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) bill Monday morning.
Comments attributable to Greens spokesperson for First Nations, and Yamatji Noongar woman, Senator Dorinda Cox:
“It’s an historic day for First Nations people, and for all Australians. We’ll finally be voting Yes to progressing all elements of the Statement from the Heart – Yes to Truth, Treaty and to Voice.
“The bill passing in the Senate today triggers a referendum and signals that the work of the Parliament is done. It’s time for the Yes23 campaigners to get out there in the community and share with all Australians why this referendum is so important.
“When you stand with First Nations leaders across the country, and you hear directly from them how a Voice to Parliament would raise their voices on the matters that impact them every day, you understand how important it is to vote yes at the referendum.
“A yes vote on the Voice to Parliament will allow us to take the first steps together in coming to terms with our past, and building a future for us all.
“By lodging the motion alongside my Labor parliamentary colleague, Senator McCarty, I want to send a strong message of support for the Voice to Parliament, and reassure my mob and First Nations people across the country that their Sovereignty will not be impacted by this bill or the Voice itself.
“Sovereignty is such an important part of First Nations identity. It guides our connection to Country and underscores our responsibility to care for the land, waters, wildlife and ecosystems.
“Before committing our support for the Voice to Parliament, the Greens Party Room pushed the government to provide assurances that First Nations Sovereignty would not be impacted through the referendum process.
“It was also important to me to have the government commit to all aspects of the Statement from the Heart as a matter of priority, and by passing this share motion we have confirmed to follow the Voice referendum with further reforms that progress First Nations self-determination with Truth and Treaty in this term. This must be the start of significant reforms working towards truth-telling and treaty-making.
“The Australian Greens remain committed to the full implementation of the Statement from the Heart - Truth, Treaty and Voice. The referendum is the next step, and I’ll continue to push the government to build on their initial commitment to a Makarrata Commission to further progress Truth-telling and Treaty-making this term.”
Lines attributable to Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:
“This is a hopeful and unifying moment, and an important step towards Truth-telling, Treaty-making and Voice,” Mr Bandt said.
“Today we move one step closer to First Nations justice, with Truth, Treaty and Voice.
“It has been six years since the Greens were the first party to endorse the Statement from the Heart in full, and our MPs will be campaigning Yes: Truth, Treaty, Voice across the country to ensure this referendum succeeds.
“The Greens condemn the Coalition’s continued descent into conspiratorial politics and racist dog-whistling. With their divisive rhetoric the Coalition is using race to try to win votes, and the Greens will fight them every step of the way.”