Allies for Uluru refuse to give up the fight

Posted on 04 Jun 2024

By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia

More than seven months after the Voice referendum was resoundingly defeated, a coalition of charities and not-for-profits who backed the Yes campaign have reaffirmed their commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

In a joint statement, Allies for Uluru said that in the wake of the referendum result, the group continued to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“We recommit to actively pursuing the establishment of representative voices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

The group includes a who’s who of the charity, NFP and community sector.

The statement was signed by more than 60 organisations, including Mission Australia, the Fred Hollows Foundation, ACOSS, Beyond Blue and Infoxchange.

The coalition also reaffirmed its commitment to other key principles contained in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, including:

supporting sovereign to sovereign agreement-making and treaty negotiations between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Australian governments
actively pursuing a national truth-telling process, as a vehicle for healing.

“We will not turn back, and we will not hesitate in continuing to fight for justice and self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

After a months-long, highly divisive debate, the Voice referendum held on October 14, 2023, was defeated, with just over 60% of the nation voting no.

Despite bitter disappointment at the result, the Allies for Uluru statement said the group would not be “fair weather allies.”

“We will not turn back, and we will not hesitate in continuing to fight for justice and self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

The group said that in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), self-determination was the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be in control of decision-making that affects their lives.

This in turn meant funding and decision making should be transferred to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

“As allies, we will also seek to embody Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative voices in our own structures and programs,” the group said.

Coalition members pledged to continue advocating for the rights and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in the hope of building a better future.

“Where we see pockets of hope or progress – nationally, regionally and locally – we will add our voices to those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, organisations and communities.”

The group called on all Australian governments and opposition parties to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to lay the foundation for a more fair and truthful relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.

“We believe that this will deliver a better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, one based on justice and self-determination. In turn, we believe that this will deliver a better future for all Australians.

“The Allies for Uluru reaffirm that the way forward for our nation lies in accepting the generous invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and actively working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to build our shared vision for a mature, just and equal Australia.”