Joint Select Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum 

The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia supports the Constitution Alteration Bill 2023.

While not a First Nations organisation, the Society supports constitutional recognition as it would optimise empowerment, self-determination, and subsidiarity for Indigenous communities.

This support for the Voice aligns with the Society’s past advocacy efforts dating back to 2000.

The Society endorses the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the importance of the Voice as an independent advisory body to Parliament.

The Society’s support also aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the words of Pope John Paul II about the importance of addressing past injustices in Australia.

Read the full submission - pdf file