RECONCILIATION IS CORE UNION BUSINESS SUPPORTING VOICE, TREATY & TRUTH

OUR HISTORY IS RICH AND UNIQUE AND BEGINS WITH MORE THAN 65,000 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS CULTURAL CONNECTION TO THE LAND. YET OUR 122-YEAR-OLD CONSTITUTION STILL DOESN’T RECOGNISE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE. IT’S TIME WE DID, TOGETHER.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to the Australian people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. It asks Australians to walk together to build a better future by establishing a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution, and the establishment of a Makarrata Commission for the purpose of treaty making and truth-telling. To walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples on this journey is a privilege. Practical recognition to help fix unique challenges related to jobs, housing, health and literacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is also sought!

Experience shows that when grassroots Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can give advice to government about decisions which affect them, better decisions are made. Constitutional recognition in the form of a Voice will mean fewer wasted resources, less party politics and real results. This is an opportunity for all Australians to come together and contribute to building a stronger, fairer nation.

In November 2022, our member elected National Executive and National Conference passed a resolution unanimously in support of The Uluru Statement From The Heart which includes Voice, Treaty and Truth. Since then, we have been educating members about this important nation changing vote as part of the Unions for Yes Campaign. This has included a statewide Labour Day celebrating the campaign, education and education in workplaces. We were also recently privileged to have ASU WA Branch Secretary Wayne Wood and Deputy Campaign Director From The Heart Kara Keys talk about The Uluru Statement from the Heart and the upcoming Referendum at our recent SACS Delegates Conference.

Reconciliation is core union business not just for our Union, but the entire union movement. As union members we have a voice at the table which gives us an opportunity to have a say on policies and issues which affect us at work. We believe, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have a right to a voice on issues which affect them. It’s that simple.

We are encouraging all members to sign up and become part of the Queensland Unions For Yes - which you can do via the opposite page.