9 August 2023

Later this year Australians will be asked to vote in a referendum to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament in our Constitution. The Voice will be an independent, representative advisory body that will enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to advise the federal government on the issues, policies and laws that affect them.

WHIN is supporting a Yes vote in this referendum in response to the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart which called for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution to enable First Nations people to take their rightful place in this country.

We offer this support of the Yes vote in allyship with the representatives of First Nations people who made the initial request through the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and First Nations organisations such as Reconciliation Australia, First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, ANTAR, and Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO).

We express our deep hope that community discussion in the lead up to the referendum will be conducted with respect and care for one another and that we all commit to building a more just and inclusive Australia, where health equity is a reality.