At its Council Meeting on 23 November 2022 Bayside Council unanimously adopted a Mayoral Minute to formally support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and Voice to Parliament.
"The Uluru statement from the Heart is a call by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community for real and practical change in Australia through the establishment of a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament and the establishment of a Makarrata Commission to undertake processes of treaty-making and truth telling," Mayor Dr Christina Curry said.
"Bayside Council is situated on Gadigal and Bidjigal land, and some of Sydney's oldest traditional custodians reside in our community and have done so their whole lives. Gadigal and Bidjigal people have a strong, deep, and continuing connection to this country, representing a sovereignty that has never been ceded."
Bayside Council's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), adopted earlier this year, recognises this enduring cultural connection, and seeks to promote reconciliation, respect and trust between our Aboriginal community and the wider Bayside community.
One of the key aspects of Council's RAP is to research and review issues of importance to First Nations people, including constitutional recognition.
"The Voice to Parliament and Makarrata Commission are relevant to all Australians and Council has a role in providing clear and factually correct information about these issues, including the forthcoming referendum," Mayor Dr Christina Curry said.
"Ensuring our diverse community is engaged in this process should be a priority, and we need to work with our local community groups and organisations to achieve this."
Council is investigating several awareness raising activities including a Festival of Voice to give everyone an opportunity to celebrate Aboriginal culture and learn about the importance of the Voice to Parliament.
Council will also work with multicultural community organisations to promote Aboriginal culture and the significance of the Voice.
