I felt that it was important to share my personal position and comments on the referendum question over the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which all Australians will be get to vote in on October 14.
We, the Australian public, will be asked to vote Yes or No to alter the Constitution to recognise First Nations people.
The Australian Constitution started back in 1891 from six colonies throughout Australia. The Constitution contains the basic legal and political rules for how Australia is governed.
Aboriginal people did not get a say originally in the Constitution and it contained clauses to exclude us. It continues to have provisions based on outdated thinking and contains no inclusions.
Constitutional change can only be done by the Australian people via a referendum, not by politicians in parliament.
William Cooper and other leaders in the 1920s established the Australian Aborigines Progressive Association. They were strongly advocating for the inclusion of Aboriginal people and their concerns regarding the Constitution, so more than 100 years ago the request for recognition was being put to the Australian government.
First Nations people — now let us address this term, or title, on its own merit. It is the oldest surviving culture in the world, the original incumbents of this majestic and wonderful country, with archaeological evidence and scientific data to attest to 60,000 years of existence.
The rest of the global world recognises their First Nations people in their respective laws, governance and constitutions, with some countries entering into Treaty agreements.
Australia, to this date, has not done anything, so this is an opportunity to make it right. The Australian population has an opportunity to make things right and vote Yes on referendum day to put a stop to denying First Nations people a right to shape what is best practice and policies for their people.
This process should be and would be good governance and intelligent governance, listening to the rightful people who would be in the best position to have an opinion on what is right for their people, what will work and knowledge of what isn’t working.
We know the many disadvantages in areas such as health, housing, employment, literacy and numeracy. The high number of First Nations people incarcerated in the prison system, the life expectancy gap of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. We need to continue to close the gap on social disadvantage for all our people.
There is considerable support here in the Goulburn Valley and a strong need for a Voice to Parliament from our collective First Nations community. The time is now for this Voice to Parliament and constitutional recognition. We cannot accept the status quo, it is not working for our people.
The community in my region is extremely supportive, passionate and proud about the Aboriginal heritage, history and connections to this country.
We continue to showcase this annually at various landmark events where attendance and participation is overwhelmingly encouraging.
I want to thank my community for providing an opportunity for me to share the richness and diversity of my Aboriginal heritage, history and culture. This speaks volumes to the increasingly supportive voices in our community and how we have all grown over the years.
The Voice proposal recognises and rightfully acknowledges that we were the first peoples here, and over tens of thousands of years we contributed to the most sustainable eco-biodiverse economy of any continent in the world.
So, I say to everyone in our great region when you go to vote on referendum day, when you are in your ballot box, I want you to close your eyes, place your hand on your heart and vote accordingly. Hopefully it will be a Yes for the start of a positive and proactive future direction for our people.
Greg James
Proud Yorta Yorta man