A unique moment in time exists to take real, meaning steps towards reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Very soon, Australians will be asked to head to their local community hall, library, school or vacant office space to cast their vote in the upcoming referendum.
The referendum will ask you if you support recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our nation’s constitution; and giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a voice to Parliament.
A voice to Parliament means real change, giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a say on laws that directly affect them. It is something that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander overwhelmingly support.
Voting Yes also sends a powerful message to all politicians that Australians want a future that recognises and works towards reconciling the wrongs committed in the past. Not one with division and racism.
The Union proudly supports the campaign, and we urge members to vote YES! to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our nation’s Constitution with a Voice to Parliament.
That’s why we’ve been working with Victorian Trades Hall and the Unions for Yes Campaign to ensure we take meaningful steps towards reconciliation with a strong Yes vote.
We’re so impressed that in just 2 months, Unions for Yes Campaign volunteers have coordinated a huge 203 street stalls and train station blitzes in their local areas!
This is an amazing achievement, and we know that our members are out there having conversations with people about constitutional recognition and a voice to Parliament.
The team at Victorian Trades Hall is coordinating union and community activists with:
- 400 people attending an action, putting in over 1500 volunteer hours already;
- 87 people have organised their own street stall or train station stall and helped ensure other activists had the materials they need; and
- Another 409 people picked up or ordered a Campaign Kit to organise extra actions in their local communities and in their workplaces.
With potentially only 11 weeks remaining until the referendum is held, we must continue to show this kind of solidarity with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues – together we can make history.
It’s up to us to ensure that our country finally recognises the world’s oldest living culture in Australia’s Constitution, our most significant foundational document. It’s already long overdue so if not now, then when?
Come and join us for the Mass Activist Meeting for Yes, get some campaign gear and find out what you can do to help ensure Australia says YES to constitutional recognition and YES for a voice to Parliament.
Mass Activist Meeting for Yes
When: Saturday 19 August at 10:30am
Where: ANMF Building, 535 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000
RSVP: https://www.weareunion.org.au/mass_yes_meeting_1908
Want to get involved? Contact us on (03) 9623 9623 or at enquiry@msav.org.au
