The ACT government has formally committed to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, urging the federal government to commit to a First Nations Voice and a Makarrata commission.
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The territory said it strongly supports a constitutionally entrenched Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, given the ability to act independently from government.
"It must not be stifled by the government of the day and must be free to represent First Nations people in communities across the country," the territory says.
In a submission to the Indigenous Voice co-design process, the ACT government said it supported holding a referendum, needed to amend the Australian constitution, after a model had been settled.
"The Voice should be included in the Constitution, and legislation should be enacted to determine its composition, powers and procedures," the territory said.
The ACT government said in its submission that removing discriminatory provisions from the Australian constitution would have a lasting practical effect by promoting human rights.
"Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a preamble is a strong symbolic gesture that does not diminish its importance in any way," the submission said.
"The power of symbols is that they can inspire action. This in turn can result in positive practical impacts that lead to an improved quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."
The federal government announced in October 2019 an Indigenous Voice co-design process, which developed an interim report a year later.
The report outlined a proposal for a National Voice, that would advise the federal government on matters of importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
"There would be two-way interactions between the National Voice and the Parliament, and between the National Voice and the Australian government," the report said of the proposal.
"The National Voice would not administer programs and would not be able to veto laws made by the Parliament or overturn Australian government decisions."
ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said Indigenous people needed to be empowered to lead decision making if Australia wanted to continue towards true reconciliation.
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"The Uluru Statement came from the hearts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, gathered together in one of the largest and most representative forums of Australia's First Nations peoples in modern times," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
"In closing the statement, these leaders invited all of us to 'walk with [them] in a movement of the Australian people for a better future'.
"Their work and their goodwill cannot and should not be squandered. The ACT government and the labour movement are resolutely committed to advancing the Uluru Statement from the Heart - voice, treaty and truth."
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Jasper Lindell
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
