LABOR CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE FIRST NATIONS VOICE FINAL REPORT

LABOR CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE FIRST NATIONS VOICE FINAL REPORT Main Image

08 September 2021


SENATOR MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY
CHAIR OF LABOR’S FIRST NATIONS CAUCUS COMMITTEE

Labor is calling on the Morrison Government to release the final report into the design of a First Nations voice to Parliament. 

It’s been almost four and a half years since the delivery of the Uluru Statement in which First Nations people called for a constitutionally enshrined voice to the parliament, to have a greater say in the decisions, policies and laws that affect us. 

Since then, we have seen delay after delay from the Government. First Nations people could be forgiven for thinking that the Government is cynically dragging its feet on self-determination for First Nations people. 

After rejecting outright constitutional enshrinement, the Government then took a pledge in 2019 for a legislated voice within this term of parliament, which the Government now concedes is no longer likely. 

Then, it embarked on a co-design process with the Australian public. The overwhelming majority of submissions continued to call for constitutional enshrinement. 

The interim report from the co-design process was released in January. 

It’s time for the Cabinet to consider the final report and for the Government to release the final report. 

Stop keeping Australians in the dark. Stop dragging your feet.

Labor remains committed to the Uluru Statement in full, including a constitutionally enshrined First Nations voice to the parliament.