2023-07-02
Voice to Parliament and the voices of community
By Senator Dorinda Cox
I’m reflecting on the last two months of parliament and community work while on an Australian Political Exchange Council (APEC) tour of Indonesia right now (more about that in my next update!).
It’s amazing just how much First Nations policy and cultural celebrations have driven my work recently, and I hope that momentum continues as we move towards the Voice to Parliament Referendum later this year.
My role on the Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum wrapped up after six weeks of hearings, and delivered its report and recommendation for the referendum wording on May 15.
The legislation was then introduced to the parliament, and the third and final reading occurred on June 19 before the bill was passed. It was a big moment in the Senate, with many people watching from the public gallery including my daughters and my mum who I was happy to have supporting me and sharing the historic moment.
May was a busy month with Budget Week and two weeks of Senate Budget Estimates, but I was glad that I was able to squeeze in the opportunity to speak to the inspiring crowd of over 900 First Nations women and gender-diverse people from across the country at the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) National Summit. The participants called on all Australian governments to achieve First Nations Gender Justice and Equality through a National Framework for Action and a First Nations Gender Justice Institute.
Then I was off on a week-long climate exercise in Darwin with the Australian Defence Force to discover whether consideration is given to the cultural needs of First Nations people, particularly those in remote communities, when the ADF provides emergency and climate disaster relief. We have some work to do in this space as was demonstrated during the devastating floods in the Kimberley in January of this year.
National Reconciliation Week ran from 27 May to 3 June and I acknowledged it in two special ways this year. On May 28, I hosted a ‘solidarity march’ with over 70 people participating in the smoking ceremony at Elizabeth Quay before marching together to the Supreme Court Gardens to create a giant yarning circle on the lawns. There were some very motivating speeches by First Nations community leaders, music and cultural dancing. Thank you to everyone who supported the event and had a Truth, Treaty, Voice inspired yarn for Reconciliation Week.
The second highlight was attending the commemorative tribute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans at Kings Park on May 31. The event brought together many school groups to watch and participate through singing and dancing. It was a beautiful service that paid tribute to First Nations veterans who walked in two culturally very different worlds and for a long time were never recognised for their sacrifices.
June kicked off with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Summit in Perth which had a jam-packed program of engaging content and guest speakers.
And then I had a quick trip to the NT to attend the Barunga Festival (9-11 June) outside of Katherine. It was a fantastic opportunity to yarn with representatives from over 100 remote communities across the north of the country who come together each year to play sport, create and sell art, listen to music and enjoy energetic and enthralling traditional dancing into the night. There was also some fun to be had at the colour run and visiting the community stalls. I had the opportunity to address the crowd and witness the historic signing of the Barunga Voice Declaration by the four land councils of the NT. The support from mob for the Voice to Parliament and the Uluru Statement is very strong in the NT.
I’m also happy to have taken on the Sport portfolio for the Greens in recent months, and during the last sitting, I was announced as the Deputy Chair of a new Senate Inquiry into the Perth Mint. I’m looking forward to getting to work in both these areas.
Until next time,
Dorinda
P.S. NAIDOC Week is upon us - July 2-9. If you live in WA and haven’t signed this petition for a WA Truth-telling and Justice Commission please show your solidarity HERE.
P.P.S. I’ve been on the telly a bit lately. Check out SBS On Demand to watch episode 4 of The Point to see me interviewed by ‘the world’s best drag journalist’ Miss Information, and episode 11 of Living Black for my sit down interview with Karla Grant.
Header photo: Celebrating with family, friends and parliamentary colleagues outside the Senate after the Voice Referendum legislation passed.