Later this year, Australians will vote on a change to our nation’s constitution which seeks to enshrine a voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to our national Parliament.
After over 65,000 years of continuous culture, it’s time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are recognised in our 122-year-old constitution.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people want recognition in a practical form by having a say on issues and policies that impact their lives.
The Voice to Parliament is an important change that will make Australia fairer and better and Australian unions, including yours, are proud to be campaigning in support of a Yes vote.
The management committees of both the MSAV and HSU 4 Branch in their June 2021 meetings very proudly adopted resolutions of support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and support for an Indigenous voice to our national Parliament to be adopted as a constitutional reform.
We want to make sure that members understand what the Voice to Parliament is and why it’s such an important change to support.
That’s why all Union members are invited to attend the “Unions for Yes” campaign launch.
Join the campaign launch on Wednesday, 22 February 2023 at 8pm AEDT by registering here.
On the night you will get the latest update on the campaign for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament as well as information on how to get involved in securing this historic change.
There will also be an exclusive briefing from Indigenous and union leaders about the campaign including Thomas Mayo, Maritime Union of Australia official, Author and Uluru Statement from the Heart Signatory; Sally McManus, ACTU Secretary; Michele O’Neil, ACTU President; and Lara Watson, ACTU Indigenous Officer.
This is going to be an historic campaign and we want to make sure members know how they can be involved in history.
Register for the “Unions for Yes” campaign launch here: https://www.australianunions.org.au/action/voice-campaign-launch/
We’re also proud to announce that the Union has become a member organisation of the First Nations Workers Alliance (FNWA).
The First Nations Workers Alliance exists to bring about wage justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. FNWA operates like a union for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers who do not have access to a union or are not considered workers due to falling under the social security act.
They do tremendously important work and we encourage members to consider joining the First Nations Workers Alliance.
Being a FNWA member is open to all Australian union members, and by joining you’re showing solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. You can find out more about the First Nations Workers Alliance here and join here.
This is also a great opportunity to remind members who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Union’s desire to do more by developing a Reconciliation Action Plan. If you’re interested in working with us to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan please email us here.
