Together, we can build a more united and stronger country by recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s constitution.
Do you believe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders should be recognised in the 122 year old constitution?
Do you believe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be listened to on issues that affect them and their families?
Will you vote Yes?
Sign the pledge to support an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice To Parliament:
So far 9,063 have signed, will you help make it 10,000?
Will you commit to supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice To Parliament?
AEU for Yes
Like all important decisions we make, the decision to support and commit resources to running a Yes campaign was reached democratically through formal AEU processes. Yalukit Yulendj, the AEU’s national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education committee, recommended that the AEU support the Yes campaign.
This committee is comprised of representatives from each state and territory. This recommendation was then endorsed by the AEU Federal Conference.
“We urge all Australians to hear the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who call for support, for the Voice to Parliament in the Australian Constitution.
Parliaments have made laws and continued to implement failed policies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Previous laws have often entrenched discrimination and disadvantage such as forcing Aboriginal and Torres Strait people to work for free or below legal minimum wages since colonisation.
A Voice enshrined in the Constitution will give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples a direct line to Parliament to provide advice on any laws and policies that directly affect them.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People warrant their voice being respected and listened to before laws and policies are made as a fundamental commitment of government and community.”
Taken from the AEU Federal Conference Statement
As well as advocating for public educators and public education, the AEU and our members stand alongside other communities as they fight for justice and progress.
The AEU has a long history of solidarity with women’s rights and LGBTIQ+ movements, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activism, standing with fellow unions, and amplifying aligned global movements across our platforms. Achieving a resounding ‘Yes!’ at the referendum later this year is an essential part of building an equitable future, and that’s union business.
Our history is rich and unique and begins with more than 65,000 years of continuous cultural connection to our land.
The land now known as Australia has been home to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for tens of thousands of years.
Yet our 122-year-old constitution still doesn’t recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The constitutional should recognise the right to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be listened to by Politicians on issues that affect them – a Voice to Parliament.
It’s time we open our nation’s next chapter by voting ‘yes’ at the referendum.
A Yes vote will be a powerful and unifying moment for our country. But it will take all of us having conversations with our friends, family and colleagues to make it a reality. Are you in? If so, read on
For so long, we haven’t been able to have an opinion or a voice – we were flora and fauna until 1967 … But as the first people here, we should have always had a voice.Aunty Penny Taylor - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support teacher, Jimboomba State School QLD
The Voice brings me hope, and we have to live in hope. I think of my Elders and how significant the Apology was to those people at the time. I feel that for all the warriors that have walked before me, the Voice will be such a proud moment for them.Steve Mitchell – Teacher, Yuendumu School NT
