PAMA FUTURES Indigenous designed and led
A HISTORIC YEAR
This is an historic year.
The Australian people will decide on recognition of Indigenous people in our Constitution at the 2023 Voice referendum. The question the nation will answer is whether our country will finally move towards a settlement between the first Australians and those who took over the continent 235 years ago and established modern Australia.
The question:
“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”
And the proposal:
In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia: There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice; The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.”
Are simple. The Empowered Communities – including Cape York – have been at the forefront of developing this critical opportunity for Australia. The Voice reforms present a huge opportunity—one that can benefit all Australians if it is seized—to put in place a partnership framework that connects four key policy pieces.
- Recognition of Indigenous Voices;
- Empowerment through Structural Reforms and Indigenous Agency;
- Improving the Productivity of Investment;
- Closing the Gap.
It can be the cornerstone to bring all key parties together in partnership, including the Australian and state/territory governments and First Nations people through the National Voice and Local and Regional Voices, so we can work together in an enduring way to close the gap.
We encourage everyone to be informed on this issue – why it is important, and the impact it can have on Cape York – and be ready to vote, and make your voice heard. You can enrol to vote with the Electoral Commission here – (AEC logo as button to Enrol to vote - Australian Electoral Commission (aec.gov.au))