1944

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Submissions: Your Feedback

Submissions from people and organisations who have agreed to have their feedback published are provided below.

The views expressed in these submissions belong to their authors. The National Indigenous Australians Agency reserved the right not to publish submissions, or parts of submissions, that include, for example, material that is offensive, racist, potentially defamatory, personal information, is a copy of previously provided materials, or does not relate to the consultation process.

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Submission Number
1944
Participant
Joy Nason
Submission date

Joy Nason
MONA VALE 2103

Dear Co-Design Body

Submission for Co-design process

I was born in England in 1943 and emigrated to Sydney Australia as a school child. I was taught nothing about Australian Indigenous history. As I have become more aware of this dark blot on our history, I am doing everything I can to ensure the truth is told. I was a TAFE Vocational teacher for 40 years and was proud to support initiatives at TAFE that included Indigenous inclusion, respect and culture. I am now retired and living in Sydney's Northern Beaches area and consider myself a proud activist for environmental and human rights causes - Indigenous rights are No.1 on my list. Voice, Treaty and Truth is my mantra.

Why do you think the Uluru Statement from the Heart is important?
I want to see Australia shining in the world as having recognised the Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander culture that has lasted longer than any other.

Why do you think it's important to enshrine the Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, rather than include it only in legislation?
I want all Australians to recognise and celebrate the 60,000 years of our true history and respond joyfully to the “Uluru Statement from the Heart” by having a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Australian Constitution. Now is not the time for negative views about recognition that suggest the VOICE involves a Third Chamber of Parliament or opens the floodgates for other groups to seek similar recognition. We have to repair an historic injustice by seizing this moment in history.

How could a Voice to Parliament improve the lives of your community?
Until there is an Indigenous Voice to Parliament community effort is based on a lie. All communities must move forward as one.

Why is it important for Indigenous people to have a say in the matters that affect them?
There is no other way forward than for our First Nations people to lead the way and be given control of their own people and their destiny.

We have to repair an historic injustice by seizing this moment in history. The Government must honour its election commitment to a referendum once a model for the Voice has been settled to ensure that a First Nations Voice to Parliament is protected by the Constitution;

Thank you,
Joy Nason