Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders will have the floor at a free community barbecue hosted by City of Newcastle on Sunday 26 February at Hamilton's Gregson Park, for anyone wanting to learn more about the forthcoming Voice to Parliament referendum.
Held in collaboration with City of Newcastle's Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee as referendum campaigns begin in earnest around the country, the Newcastle BBQ for the Voice to Parliament will include a sausage sizzle and addresses from Indigenous leaders.
Representatives of the national From The Heart campaign will also be on hand to answer questions from the community about the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the referendum process, and the proposed amendment to the Constitution.
It comes as a national week of action gets underway on 20 February ahead of the proposed referendum slated for the second half of the year, which will ask Australians to vote on whether they support a constitutionally enshrined body that would allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have input on laws and policies that directly affect them.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the event was an important step in bringing the community together to promote awareness and understanding of the proposed constitutional amendment.
"City of Newcastle is proud to support the 'yes' campaign and provide an accessible public forum for the community to be informed on what this referendum means for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, whose enduring resilience, knowledge, and relationship with the land for more than 60,000 years deserves long overdue constitutional recognition," Cr Nelmes said.
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP, will join the line-up of speakers at the event.
"I am proud to be part of the Albanese Labor Government which is putting this important question to the Australian people," Ms Claydon said.
"This referendum is about two things: constitutional recognition and ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a say on the policies and laws that affect them. The Voice is an important first step in delivering the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full: Voice, Treaty, Truth."
Keynote speaker and Uluru Statement from the Heart signatory, Sean Gordon, said the "recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution will acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' rightful place as the first peoples of this country and will provide a voice to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities have a greater say in laws, policies, and programs that impact our communities. The referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is the most import referendum since the constitution was established in 1901. A successful referendum will demonstrate our maturity as a country and will be the next step in our journey toward reconciliation between black and white Australia."
From The Heart Director Dean Parkin said now is the opportunity for Australia to seize this historic moment and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution.
"All around the country, supporters of constitutional recognition are sparking thousands of conversations in this week of action with friends, families and neighbours," Mr Parkin said.
"It's a chance to explain how a 'yes' vote at this year's referendum will give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a say in the laws and policies that directly impact their lives, and to deliver practical change.
"Australia has a huge opportunity to change the dial in our communities and see genuine, practical change. Seeking advice from people in Indigenous communities leads to better outcomes – because the people on the ground know their issues best.
"We are having this referendum because it's time to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution in a way that they requested – recognition through a Voice to Parliament."
The Newcastle BBQ for the Voice to Parliament will be held from 11am to 1pm, with a list of speakers to be announced soon. Stay up to date via the Facebook event page.
Visit fromtheheart.com.au
