Early Childhood Unions for Yes
The union movement has launched its ‘Unions for Yes’ campaign in support of a Voice to Parliament for First Nations Australians.
In 2016–17, a series of 12 dialogues were held with First Nations people across Australia, culminating in a regional council of 250 Indigenous leaders at Uluru, where the overwhelming majority resolved to call for a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Australian Constitution, as well as treaty and truth-telling through the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
As lawyer and storyteller Teela Reid, Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman, powerfully put it: “We are on the cusp of transformative change. Before us there is an opportunity to change the trajectory of our nation when it comes to recognising the rightful place of First Nations people.”
If successful, the referendum will give First Nations people the constitutional right to be heard by the Australian parliament, to influence policies and legislation, and to help ensure future decisions about First Nations people to be made with them, not for them.
The union movement has a long, proud history of supporting broader community campaigns to achieve positive social change. The AEU is supporting the Voice campaign and urging our members to vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum.
