Vinnies NSW welcomes Uluru Statement from the Heart recognition

“The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW congratulates everyone who contributed to the Uluru Statement from the Heart for winning the 2021 Sydney Peace Prize,” Peter McNamara, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW President, said.

“While they have been quick to point out that the Statement was a group effort by many First Nations people, I am still very glad that Professor Megan Davis, Pat Anderson AO, and Noel Pearson received recognition for their roles in this.

“The Statement received the award for bringing together Australia’s First Nations Peoples around a clear and comprehensive agenda for healing and peace within our nation.

“It is a shame that it’s been four years since it was first presented and the two requests it makes of Australia and its people have not been acted upon,” Mr McNamara said.

“We urge the Commonwealth to embrace the Statement’s recommendations in full by providing a constitutionally recognised First Nations Voice in Parliament and establishing a Makarrata Commission,” St Vincent de Paul NSW CEO, Jack de Groot, said.

“The Commission’s role, as outlined in the Statement, would be dedicated to truth-telling about First Nations history and to supervise the making of agreements between governments and First Nations.

“The Society is committed to supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart and calls on the Prime Minister and Australian Parliament to respect and enact the Statement in its entirety.

“The Society stands in solidarity with Australia’s many First Nations Peoples on the commencement of National Reconciliation Week,” Mr de Groot said.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones | 0417 446 430