Dear Co-Design Body,
Thank you for the opportunity to join the Co-Design movement to provide Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples hold the utmost importance in Australian history. They deserve a say on the policies and laws that affect their communities and everyday life.
Currently, I am dissatisfied with the narrow-mindedness and lack of accountability from the Australian government. The current systems in place that provide power to certain privileged groups whilst severely diminishing others. I am heartbroken to hear of the hurt that First Nations people experience on a daily basis in regard to several issues including but not limited to; indigenous deaths in custody; the unsafety and defenselessness of indigenous women; high numbers of children incarcerated; and violation of sacred areas.
I support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its demand for First Nations Voice to Parliament. I urge the government to uphold their promise to the nation to hold a referendum once the voice has been settled. Once the referendum has been held in the next term of parliament, legislation to enable the voice must be established. The membership and leadership structure of the national voice has to represent the breadth and diversity of the previously unheard Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Kind regards,
Lauren Amato
