Together with the Bosco Social Justice Group, we invited the local community to come along and learn more about what a Voice to Parliament actually means, explore how the Voice to Parliament was born and explore the referendum question.
Our special guest speaker was local First Nations Elder, Aunty Dolly, who spoke deeply about what a Voice to Parliament will mean to her, and recounted her personal experience and that of her family living and surviving in occupied territory; the audience were moved by her gracious manner which was not one of anger but gentleness and invitation to walk alongside her. We also heard from community organiser Jonathan Rowe from Uniting, researcher Angela Sidoti from Yes23 Sutherland Shire, and policy lawyer Jackie Hartley. Each of them presented information from their speciality area.
After the presentations, a panel was formed and questions invited from the audience, who could either write something down on the slips of paper provided or text a question in. John and Sarah were kept busy compiling the questions and asking them of the panel, who expertly considered and addressed each one. Questions included:
- how does the voting work for a referendum; what is needed to pass a change?
- can the Voice be used to veto the parliament?
- will sovereignty be extinguished?
- why do up to 20% of Aboriginal people oppose the Voice?
and more. As there was nearly forty minutes available for questions, there were a lot!
We concluded the formal part of the evening at 9pm as promised, but audience members were invited to connect with panel members over supper in the church hall. Quite a crowd stayed for the next half-hour and longer, chatting with one another and making new connections.
This link will take you to a video of the Forum.
This link will take you to a reading of the Uluru Statement of the Heart.
This link will take you to the slide presentation from the Forum.
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