2760

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Submissions: Your Feedback

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

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Submission Number
2760
Participant
Anonymous
Submission date

I have a Bachelors degree in Aboriginal studies. I am parent of two Indigenous children. I am born & bred South Aussie.

Why do you think the Uluru Statement from the Heart is important?
I believe the Uluru Statement is the best path forward for engaging in strong & successful partnerships of accountability. These relationships are needed to address health inequities & institutional system failings. I heard Malcolm Turnbull say publicly that he disagreed with the enshrined constitutional voice because he felt that all people from all backgrounds should be able to potentially take a chair at the table BUT what Malcolm fails to acknowledge is how the disparities we see in the current moment are connected to ‘race’ specifically Indigenous Australians and historic racist policy making.

Why is it important for Indigenous people to have a say in the matters that affect them?
Only Indigenous Australians know what’s best for their families and communities. We could learn & share from one another, it is a chance to bring positive attributes into the parliament, such as relatedness, listening & reciprocity. It is an opportunity to grow power rather than hoard it.

How could a Voice to Parliament improve the lives of your community?
I tell my kids if they learn to be kind & honest they will walk a true path. The Australian psyche also has much to learn about kindness & honesty. Some of our best & brightest are behind the Uluru Statement and their elders, let’s bring this talent into the forray because Australian politics is desperately lacking intellectualism. We need these ideas to make our communities stronger, or is this dumbing down a means to a cruel end for the most vulnerable in our society?

Why do you think it's important to enshrine the Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, rather than include it only in legislation?
Adam Phelan recently stated & I quote “ Can the truth liberate? Only if that truth is told under a new relationship. Only if a structural change occurs & the path to justice is set.” Constitutional change is necessary so that the needs of Indigenous people cannot be shelved by the whim of any new governments as we have seen in the past where lives are kicked around like political footballs.

Kind regards

 

 

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