Dear Co-Design Body
Co-design process:
I am a proud New Zealander now living in Brisbane, Australia and I became an Australian citizen over 30 years ago.
Why do you think the Uluru Statement from the Heart is important?
It is important that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a say in matters that affect them. It is important to establish a representative Indigenous body and to protect that body within the constitution. Only through a constitutional referendum will the Voice have the public legitimacy and authority it needs to make sure the government and Parliament will take its advice seriously.
Why do you think it's important to enshrine the Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, rather than include it only in legislation?
Constitutional enshrinement means constitutional protection of the existence and primary functions of the Voice. Constitutional enshrinement of a Voice will create a new constitutional body that informs the legislative process and give the Voice the necessary stability and certainty in its operation, free from the fear of abolition from one government to the next.
Why is it important for Indigenous people to have a say in the matters that affect them?
To enshrine a voice to Parliament and commence a journey to voice, treaty and truth.
How could a Voice to Parliament improve the lives of your community?
My local community would be improved by having a constitution that recognises and protects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people committed to sustaining a relationship with First Nations people.
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.
Yours sincerely