2010

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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
2010
Participant
Anonymous
Submission date

Dear Co-Design Body

Submission for Co-design process

I grew up in Shepparton which is Yorta Yorta country in Northern Victoria, I'm now based in Windsor, Melbourne which is the land of the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. I work for TT-Line also known as Spirit of Tasmania as a casual freight and customer service officer. I'm also a student studying my Masters in Arts Management and am a little over half way through my MA. I previously studied Communication Design and received my Bachelors in 2009.

Why do you think the Uluru Statement from the Heart is important?
It is an important piece of literature that states clearly what indigenous elders feel for their community and their country. It gives an oppressed people a voice and clearly states why they need a voice to parliament for their people and our nation. It is from the heart and from the indigenous community directly not written for them. They have their own voice and want to better their community by working together with parliament. Why would we not want a future where we work together?

Why do you think Australia needs a Voice to Parliament?
The First People of Australia were here 60,000 years before British settlement and colonisation. They took care of the lands they lived on, farmed in a seasonal and natural way. Understood burning parts of the land in order to promote new growth and to prevent massive bushfires. They cared for their own people and families and this great country. They have a deep spiritual connection and understanding to this land. The elders in the community should be included and have a voice to parliament as they should have a say in how the country is run and we should respect their opinions.

Why do you think it's important to enshrine the Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, rather than include it only in legislation?
It should be a building block of the constitution on which our country stands together behind. It is time that our citizens stand together as one in this post colonisation Australia. It's time for a new Australia.

Why do you think Indigenous people should have a Voice to Parliament?
Our First Peoples of Australia deserved better. They still do. They have so much wisdom and knowledge to give. It is our responsibility as a nation to come together and work as one. Our indigenous elders deserve the respect of having a voice. The First Nations People of Australia have been oppressed far too long. It has proven to work in New Zealand. Why shouldn't we make it part of our constitution as Australians? We're a modern country. Why can't we get with the times? We should be leading the way forward not still looking away from our dark history, like we have for so long.

Australia was "founded" based on the death and destruction of the Original Inhabitents of Australia. It is illegally stolen lands and was declared "Terra nullius" which was simply not the truth at all. This is a grave injustice in our ugly history. If Australia worked together with the indigenous inhabitants from the beginning imagine what kind of a world we could have lived in. Our First Peoples deserve a voice to Parliament, it's high time.

Thank you