Hoppers Crossing, VIC 3029
Dear Co-Design Body
Co-design process: Submission for
Hello, My name is and I am an Australian citizen who moved here from the US 6 years ago to study veterinary science at the University of Melbourne. I have been at Melbourne University for all 6 years and have learned a lot about the the country my dad grew up in but also the many faults within the Australian government system. Growing up in California, my education about Australian indigenous people was taught within 5 minutes. Therefore, I did not grow up knowing much about them and the history of Australia. However, even after living in Australia for just 6 years, I have already seen the huge discrepancies in indigenous life compared to the regular white Australian.
Why do you think the Uluru Statement from the Heart is important?
The statement embodies everything that the indigenous people of Australia want, need, and deserve. It clearly outlines what is needed to fix the system that white Australians have set up for them. Many would say the system is broken but I think the system is working exactly how it was set up to be. Which is taking away right of indigenous Australians and profiting off of them as well.
How could a Voice to Parliament improve the lives of your community?
Having and Indigenous voice in Parliament would only be beneficial to all communities including the one I live in. It will show people like me who have recently moved to Australia that Australians are respectful to the original owners of the land and that they accept all people and want to improve their lives. Not just the lives of white Australians.
Why is it important for Indigenous people to have a say in the matters that affect them?
There should be no question on whether Indigenous people have the right to have a say in what affects them. In order to help fix all the problems white people have caused and created, Indigenous people need to be part of the conversation. Or else the problems will never be fixed.
Why do you think it's important to enshrine the Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, rather than include it only in legislation?
Enshrining the Voice to Parliament in the Constitution will show that legislatures are here to make a permanent change and will continually work on improving Indigenous lives, not just a one time show that will only cover the problem for a couple years.
Kind regards,