20 July, 2017
NSWALC support for Referendum Council report
20 July 2017Â
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) has given full support to the Referendum Council's final report to the Australian Government.
NSWALC Chair Roy Ah-See said the report endorsed the position of delegates to the historic meeting of First Nations peoples at Uluru in May.
"The Uluru statement was a statement from the heart of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
"There was a clear message from Uluru - that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must have a voice to Parliament where truth-telling, justice and self-determination are elevated from the margins to the centre where critical decisions are made.
"Through a Makarrata, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can negotiate as equal partners on our shared future.
"Those who gathered at Uluru believe it's time for our national government to take responsibility for the past and for all Australians to share the truth and learn from the wrongs of yesterday.
"All Australians must also embrace our First Nations peoples and respect our inherent rights as well as the responsibilities we take for our future."
Cr Ah-See said the NSWALC had taken a leading role in hosting a number of regional dialogues in the lead-up to the Uluru meeting.
"As the largest Aboriginal member-based organisation in Australia with more than 20,000 members and a democratically-elected Council, we have a responsibility to show leadership for our members and Aboriginal peoples in New South Wales.
"We now have a historic opportunity to place future generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the driver's seat our great nation.Â
"Australia cannot afford to miss this opportunity to heal the scars of the past and move forward with First Nations peoples towards a shared journey based on respect, truth-telling and true equality."
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Media contact: Andrew Williams 0429 585 291