Voice Treaty Truth

The loss of the Voice referendum has brought deep grief and disappointment to many people, particularly many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We consider that it is the loss of a rare opportunity to transform the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples at a structural level, to move closer to the broader Australian society fully recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Peoples, and to embrace a more democratic, inclusive form of political life.

The referendum made it very clear how much work there is to do. But it also underlined that there are many people who support recognition, justice and self-determination for First Peoples.

We all need to pursue these goals more actively and together!

Please join or support an organisation, whether ANTaR Qld, ANTaR National, a local reconciliation organisation, a local neighbourhood centre with relevant activities or another like-minded group. 

Please read the statements below by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders supporting Yes, ANTaR national, the Northern Land Councils and Thomas Mayo.

Join Us, Renew your membership, support our work.

ANTaR Queensland poured a lot of energy into supporting the Yes campaign, through Mob23 and Yes23 and through collaborating with other organisations like Reconciliation Queensland and PIEEC. We will now be working even harder to pursue our over-arching goals of justice, rights, recognition and self-determination for First Peoples. We will work with other like-minded Indigenous and solidarity organisations, communities and individuals to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led goals and strategies and help inform the wider Queensland community, and we will deepen our own advocacy and understanding and continue to build the respectful relationships which enables community change. And do this via our various Focus areas:

• Let’s Chat and Yarning Circles, for truth-telling and sharing, together with other groups
• Community Engagement including funeral support in collaboration with other groups
• Advocacy and working with community groups in regard to Indigenous incarceration and child detention
• Supporting the Queensland Treaty process
• What’s On via our Facebook page
• Sea of Hands

In Queensland, the referendum loss has encouraged the LNP to withdraw support from the Path to Treaty process. This is worrying. We are concerned that in both state and national politics, Indigenous issues could become a weapon in a new round of culture wars and misinformation, up to elections and beyond. This benefits no-one.

We are also aware that our Murri friends, family and colleagues are facing an upsurge of racist actions.

Both these developments highlight the need for non-Indigenous people to build respectful everyday relations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in our neighbourhoods, schools or workplaces and in small, normal, non-intrusive ways show that we value them. We can all play a role in changing and countering destructive community attitudes and practices and we can reach out of our comfort zone to do this.

Post Referendum Statements:

Statement for Our People and Country, by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, organisations and communities who supported Yes.

Northern Land Councils’ Statement

ANTaR National Statement
https://antar.org.au/antar-statement-on-the-referendum-outcome/

Thomas Mayo’s post referendum artilcle. In the Saturday paper, if you subscribe:

https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/indigenous-affairs/2023/10/21/analysis-the-movement-that-follows-the-voice#hrd

Check out the ANTaR Qld Facebook page:   https://www.facebook.com/AntarQld/

Statement by the Interim Truth and Treaty Body

Interim Truth and Treaty Body call for the Queensland Government to stay committed to Truth and Treaty | Interim Truth and Treaty Body

We see the Voice as a step towards Treaty and Truth and towards full recognition and self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We support Voice as a mechanism to represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concerns and problem-solving to Government and Parliament.

We support respectful spaces for yarning and dialogue that allows different views and understandings.

We accept that Voice is not recognition of First Nations’ sovereignty but consider it could evolve into the basis for such recognition – if we all make it happen.

The Voice referendum represents a significant step towards realising the aspirations outlined in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Its purpose is to amend the constitution to acknowledge and celebrate the rights, history, and ongoing relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to the land. The constitutional change will establish a ‘Voice to Parliament’, an independent advisory body that would provide guidance on laws and policies affecting First Nations communities to government and Parliament.

How will it work?

If the referendum is successful, a thorough consultation process will be held to determine how the Voice will work. The goal is to represent community concerns and solutions to problems to government and so shape and improve policies. This inclusive approach ensures that the design incorporates collective input and addresses the concerns of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. By deferring the detailed consultation until after obtaining public endorsement for recognising First Nations in the constitution, the focus remains on achieving widespread support for this crucial step.

Establishing the Voice presents an exceptional opportunity to foster recognition, empowerment, and reconciliation for the First Peoples of Australia. It signifies a commitment to addressing historical injustices and creating a more inclusive and equitable society for present and future generations. ANTaR QLD is actively working to promote the Voice to Parliament, advocating for the recognition and inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres voices in decision-making processes. We organise and support community yarning circles to engage in conversations about the Voice to Parliament and its significance. For more detailed information, please visit our Facebook page for updates or become a member of ANTaR Qld and receive our Newletter.

For Coming Events related to the Voice to Parliament go to our Coming Events page