Solar Citizens supports a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament Referendum.

Australia is still one of just a few remaining nations with a colonial history that doesn't recognise its first peoples in its Constitution. 

The Federal Government outlines the purpose of the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice 2023 as follows:

“...amend the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia, establish an advisory body known as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice (the Voice), and provide that the Voice may make representations to Parliament and the Executive on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and give Parliament the power to pass legislation with respect to matters related to the Voice.” [1]

The Voice was recommended after a years-long engagement with First Nations communities across Australia, and has been carefully devised and given the green light by legal experts. 

This Referendum is an opportunity for all Australians to come together and honour and celebrate the rights, history and ongoing relationship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with this land. After at least 65,000 years of continuous culture, a Voice will recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our 122-year-old constitution.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know and understand the best way to deliver real and practical change in their communities. A Voice will enable First Nations people to have a direct line of communication to Parliament to have a say on the issues, laws, and policies that directly affect their families and communities. It will help ensure that real community voices are heard and resources are used effectively to achieve real results.

Solar Citizens acknowledges the long-standing and continuing leadership of First Nations Peoples in caring for and protecting Country, and championing a fairer and safer future for all Australians. 

A ‘Yes’ vote is a first step towards acknowledging that leadership in our Constitution, so we can better learn from and work with First Nations communities and make decisions that affect our energy system, environment, and shared future, together. 

The Referendum is a once in a generation opportunity – and voting ‘Yes’ is a simple step we can take to help shape a sunnier, fairer future for all of us. 

[1] https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2223a/23bd080