The Allies for Uluru Coalition – representing more than 180 civil society organisations across the country – welcome and endorse the agreed wording for constitutional change and a First Nations Voice to Parliament announced by the Prime Minister today. 

We have heard the message of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders of the Uluru Statement From the Heart seeking Voice, Treaty, Truth and we stand with the hundreds of thousands of First Nations people that are calling for this simple and modest reform. 

As the Prime Minister said today:

“Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in our Constitution is the best

chance this country has had to address the injustices of the past and move Australia

forward for everyone, and the best way to do this is to give people a voice.”

The recommendation of the working group with agreement of the government is to ask Australians to amend the Constitution to include:

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; and
• 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.   

By answering this 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?

The answer needed from a majority of Australians, in a majority of states, is Yes. 

This is a simple proposition for Recognition and Consultation. The Allies for Uluru believe this is a good proposal that will bring First Nations Voices into the heart of our national dialogue and support the practical changes that we all hope to see.

Our organisations stand together with the many First Nations peoples on the path to a successful Referendum and beyond – we support Yes.

The Allies for Uluru Coalition:

Fred Hollows Foundation

ANTAR

Oxfam Australia

ACOSS 

Reconciliation Australia

Infoxchange

The Australian College of Nursing

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre

Adara Group

Greenpeace Australia Pacific

University of Divinity

Anglicare Australia

Simply Helping

Not-for-Profit & Charity Community Consultants (NFPCCC) First Nations & LGBTIQ+ Charity

Diverse Communities & Social Services (DCSS) First Nations & LGBTIQ+ Charity

ActionAid Australia

Tearfund Australia

Transparency International Australia

Our Community

Reconciliation Victoria

Buddhist Council of NSW

Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education

Adult Learning Australia

Financial Counselling Australia

Youth Off the Streets

Australian Democracy Network

Uniting Vic.Tas

Australian Council for International Development (ACFID)

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC)

UnitingCare Australia

Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility 

Diversity Council Australia

ACTCOSS

Family Advocacy 

The Benevolent Society 

Beyond Blue 

International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA)

Human Rights Council of Australia (HRCA)

Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)

Caritas Australia

St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia

Catholic Social Services Australia

The Salvation Army Australia

QCOSS

Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council 

Reconciliation NSW

Sydney Peace Foundation

Australian Lawyers Alliance

Brotherhood of St. Laurence