Hundreds attend Voice to Parliament Community Forum

17 May 2023 | Media Release

17 May 2023

Waverley Council thanks everyone who attended our Voice to Parliament Community Forum on 10 May at Bondi Pavilion Theatre and online.

The forum was an opportunity to learn about the upcoming Voice to Parliament Referendum, a crucial vote that will determine whether an Indigenous Advisory Body will be enshrined in the Australian Constitution, to provide a platform for First Nations peoples to have a say on issues that affect them.

Our panelists at the interactive forum included:

  • Ruby Langton-Batty: First Nations lawyer and Biennale Sydney board member
  • Craig Foster: human rights activist, NSW Australian of the year 2023 and former Socceroo
  • Michael Ingrey: Chief Executive Officer, Inner Sydney Empowered Communities
  • Councillor Paula Masselos, Mayor of Waverley

Mayor Masselos said the panelists fielded audience questions on topics including how the referendum will work and what it means for Aboriginal people.

“We were all moved by Ruby Langton-Batty reading the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its generous invitation for all of us to walk together on this journey to right past wrongs.” Mayor Masselos said.

“We have a moral obligation to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a greater say in decisions that affect them

“There was no Terra Nullius in Australia when Europeans arrived, but a 65,000 year-old culture with over 250 languages and 800 dialects”.

In November last year, Waverley Council unanimously voted to support the Uluru Statement From the Heart which calls for two substantive changes: the Voice to Parliament and a Makarrata Commission to supervise agreement making and truth-telling about our First Nations history.

In February this year, Council also voted to support the ‘Yes’ case for the referendum through a community education strategy including workshops and community events such as last night’s forum.

“I represent a community that overwhelmingly supports an Aboriginal voice in the constitution, and there was such positive energy in the room last night and leading up to the Forum which was fully booked almost a week before the event,” Mayor Masselos said.

“Creating divisions and uncertainty for short term political gain is abhorrent, and I am proud to be taking part in this once in a lifetime chance for recognition.

“Our constitution still doesn’t recognise our first Australians and it’s time that it did.”

Council’s position on the Uluru Statement reflects our ongoing commitment to reconciliation as outlined in our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), adopted in 2019.

The RAP outlines Council’s vision for a vibrant, resilient, caring and inclusive community where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples practice and celebrate their culture and heritage proudly, are honoured for their survival and resilience, respected and acknowledged as First Nations peoples with the right to determine their own futures, and supported to continue to overcome adversity.

"Waverley Council is continuing to work with our RAP Committee, the Uluru Dialogue, Yes 23 campaign and representatives of the traditional owners of the Sydney area with connection to Waverley in the design of our education and awareness about the Statement,” Mayor Masselos said.

Walking Together and Train the Trainer sessions for interested community members will be held on Fri 26 May 5pm, 2 June 1pm, 3rd June 1pm, 3rd June 5pm, register here at Walking Together.

A recording of the forum will be able to view soon on the Council’s Uluru Statement From the Heart page on our website.

To register to receive information about events and activities taking place to raise awareness around the Voice to Parliament, visit haveyoursay.waverley.nsw.gov.au.

-ENDS-

Media inquiries: media@waverley.nsw.gov.au or 0416 075 532.