A Voice to Parliament

The invitation still stands:

Walking together for a better future for First Peoples

The referendum results are now known and the proposed constitutional change to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice has not been passed.

At this time, we want to acknowledge the pain and grief this brings to many First Nations people, and amongst many in the wider Australian community. Tearfund’s decision to support the proposed constitutional change for recognition and the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice was developed in consultation with First Nations Christian leaders we work closely with in our church engagement and community development partnerships. We especially want to thank Uncle Gabriel Bani, Prof. Aunty Anne Pattel-Grey, Rev Uncle Mark Kickett, Uncle Pastor Dr Ray Minniecon, Aunty Sue Hodges, Safina Stewart, Bianca Manning and Aunty Ravina Waldren who have generously shared their wisdom and stories with us. We acknowledge and honour their extraordinary efforts, along with many others, to do the work of justice, healing and reconciliation in our nation. We know that some First Nations leaders are refraining from public comment for a time, and encourage non-Indigenous people to respect this need for space, whilst continuing to support efforts for justice for First Nations communities.

Regardless of how we each may have voted, the difficult path to this referendum has made clear the deep and ongoing need for the work of reconciliation to be done, and the need for all Australians to commit themselves to the task. The opportunities we have had during this time to talk with friends and family about our hopes for justice and reconciliation are something to be grateful for. So is the opportunity we now have to reflect on where we are as a nation, and who we want to be in the future. While the outcome of this referendum has been decided, the invitation expressed in the Uluru Statement of the Heart for all Australians to walk together towards a better future still beckons.

For Tearfund, our vision to see all people have the opportunity to achieve their God-given potential is a picture of this better future for which we pray, hope and strive. It is expressed in our support of First Nations-led community development initiatives, our education work with churches, and in coming alongside our First Nations sisters and brothers as allies in their advocacy.

We are grateful for the community of Tearfund supporters who share our commitment to this vision. We give thanks for your generous giving, and are encouraged by your faithfulness and fellowship in this work.

The work continues, as does the opportunity we each have to be Christ’s ambassadors for reconciliation, to be peacemakers and restorers. Please join us in prayer and in continuing to listen to the voices of our First Nations sisters and brothers, asking God to lead us all in grace and truth.