Statement of support for the Voice to Parliament

13 September 2023

At Star of the South, we find that involving and listening to diverse voices leads to better outcomes.

It helps to understand different experiences. Learn from local knowledge. Come up with new ideas. And make better decisions.

We all want our voice heard and considered in decisions that affect us.

This is why Star of the South supports an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, while respecting the individual views held by Australians and their right to vote how they choose.

We believe a Voice to Parliament will give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities a better way to help inform decisions that impact their lives, while recognising them as the First Peoples of Australia.

Custodians of our land for over 60,000 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make up three percent of the population but are over-represented in every area of disadvantage.

Decades of research and the experience of people on the ground confirms that decisions, policies, laws and outcomes are improved when Indigenous peoples are involved in the process.

We acknowledge and thank the many people who have worked tirelessly for many years to reach this point and encourage all Australians to learn more about the Voice to Parliament and how it would work.