2369

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Submission Number
2369
Participant
Sarah Pollard Williams
Submission date
Main Submission File
View main submission attachment by Sarah Pollard Williams32.95 KB
Main Submission Automated Transcript

Sarah Pollard-Williams

Brucedale

Dear Co-Design Body

Submission for Co-design process

I was born and raised in the UK, I qualified as a veterinary surgeon in the UK. I migrated
to Australia in the late 1990s, becoming a citizen 2 years after arriving. I lived and
worked in NW regional Victoria before moving to NSW in 2011. My recent work has
been teaching veterinary science students at a regional university, and during this time I
have completed further study in veterinary specific fields. As a white migrant, I am very
aware of my privilege, and am appalled at the attitudes to indigenous Australians, from
the general population, police, and legal system.

Why do you think the Uluru Statement from the Heart is important?
The Uluru statement from the heart is an invitation to work with Aboriginal and Torres
strait islander peoples to come together in a healing process that will give an important
voice to indigenous Australians in policy setting.

Why do you think it's important to enshrine the Voice to Parliament in the Constitution,
rather than include it only in legislation?
A voice to Parliament needs to be part of the constitution so it cannot be changed at
whim by any successive government.

How could a Voice to Parliament improve the lives of your community?
In my area, there is sadly racism displayed at local population and law enforcement
levels. Any heard voice that recognises that indigenous peoples deserve equal
treatment is important.

Why is it important for Indigenous people to have a say in the matters that affect them?
Indigenous peoples in Australia have had no say in their forced removal from
homelands, removal of children from families, the disproportionately high incarceration
rate, the poor quality housing in central Australia, health services or education. It is
ESSENTIAL that they are listened to and have a voice in decision making on these
matters.

This move is well overdue. Let's embrace makarrata and move forward together.

Thank you,
Sarah Pollard-Williams

 

 

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