64 per cent support for 'yes' vote highly encouraging

Research showing strong support for a ‘Yes’ vote in a referendum on a First Nations Voice to Parliament has been welcomed by St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia, which has consistently supported enshrining a voice in the Constitution as advocated in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

‘We find it highly encouraging that a reputable survey has found 64 per cent of Australians now support a ‘Yes’ vote, based on the wording expressed by Prime Minister Albanese at the Garma Festival in July,’ said the Society’s National President, Ms Claire Victory.

The research by Resolve Political Monitor was published in NINE newspapers today. It focused on the key question posed by Mr Albanese in his speech: “Do you support an alteration to the constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?”.

‘Like a clear majority of Australians, we firmly believe the answer should be ‘Yes’, with positive progress being made as soon as practicable,’ Ms Victory said.

‘In this regard, we welcome the formation of the 22-member Referendum Working Group co-chaired by Hon Linda Burney MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians, and Senator Patrick Dodson.

‘This distinguished group includes Professor Megan Davis and Pat Anderson AO, the Co-chairs of the Uluru Dialogue group which has just launched a major advertising campaign to mark the start of a ‘journey of nation-building’ by encouraging a ‘Yes’ vote in a referendum.’

Uluru Dialogue co-chair and Alyawarre woman Pat Anderson says in the TV commercial that, ‘Silence never made history, and history is calling.’

The commercial also features Pitjantjatjara and Nyungar actor Trevor Jamieson telling children a campfire tale, shot at night near Alice Springs.

‘While St Vincent de Paul Society is not a First Nations organisation per se, we have a long history of working with and assisting Indigenous communities and individuals,’ Claire Victory added.

‘We are acutely aware of the disadvantage and pain so many First Nations people have experienced, and how their pleas for social justice have been ignored.

‘We encourage our Parliamentarians and all Australians to answer the invitation of Indigenous Australians, expressed so generously through the Uluru Statement from the Heart, to walk together to create a better future. Being able to influence national decision-makers on a range of key issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people is fundamental to creating a fairer Australia.

‘As Minister Burney said, it is vital to build a broad consensus of community support and to harness the goodwill in the Australian community to take Australia forward. These survey results are a very encouraging milestone in this process and auger well for the future.

‘The Minister stressed that government cannot lead this referendum and to see that nearly two-thirds of Australians are already supporting a ‘Yes’ vote is a hugely encouraging sign,’ Ms Victory said.