Healing and Hope - Voices from across the Church

Posted Oct 10, 2023 in News

We have an opportunity to be the generation that is brave enough to change the course of history. A vote ‘yes’ is the key to Closing the Gap. And better care of Country. God’s voice to us all.

I will be voting Yes.
Denise Champion

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The Voice to Parliament for me is … my time, my moment to take control of my future. My children’s time, their moment to take control of their future. My grandchildren’s time, their moment to take control of their future. Something that was not afforded to my grandparents, my great grandparents nor my great, great grandparents and so on … It is time for a change, let us make history together as a nation.

I will be voting Yes.
Ken Sumner

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The Voice reflects an incredibly generous invitation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to come together on the other side of struggle. It’s an invitation into better relationship through listening and to embrace a fuller sense of who we are together. As a reconciliation and renewal people this makes perfect sense of who we are.

I will be voting Yes.
Jesse Size

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For more than 60,000 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have had a connection to our continent. The ‘Voice to Parliament’ is a means to protect and promote Australia’s Indigenous culture and tradition as well as to value their connection to this great land.

I will be voting Yes.

Mark Lee

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Church leaders from many Asian countries met in the past week for the first Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) in 8 years. The issue of the Voice was raised in this context. The CCA is a movement that strives for the flourishing of all peoples, including the rights of Indigenous peoples; and is sensitised to the impact of colonialism. Rev Mark Kickett of the UAICC was present, and affirmed that the Uluru Statement from the Heart is a gracious invitation from Indigenous Australians to all other Australians to walk together in seeking to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in their own lands. The Voice is the next step.

I will be voting Yes

Vicky Balabanski

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It is an expression of the UCAs Covenant with UAICC and our commitment to walk the way of reconciliation with First Peoples.

I will be voting Yes.

Sue Page

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… because until we are honest about our past we can’t step into our future … because First Peoples were here first and we need to speak the truth of that in our Nation’s documents … because we are being invited on a grace-filled journey towards healing and hope … because God calls us to ‘act justly, love kindness and walk humbly with God.’

I will be voting Yes.

Jenni Hughes

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I read a book this year that laid bare to me the egregious sin against Indigenous people that sits at the heart and foundation of our country as we know it. It would be hard to argue that there's been genuine repentance for that sin in our history. I'm not always sure how to respond to these kinds of issues, but Jesus is serious about repentance from sin and reconcillation, and that means I must also be. Surely listening to and standing covenantly with our UAICC sisters and brothers in Christ is the least I could do. And surely any fear of division or personal cost to non-Indigenous people like myself - for which there seems to be very little - is driven out by sacrificial love in the way of Jesus.

I will be voting Yes.

Tim Littleford

 

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The Voice to Parliament recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the experts of their own lives and should be consulted on decisions and laws that impact them and their communities. Saying yes to the Voice is saying yes to deep listening, to walking alongside one another, to learning to live on First Nations land never ceded and to find our heartbeat as a country. I am listening to the voices of all the Aboriginal community that I know and that have become family to me.

I will be voting Yes.

Chelsea Size

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I’m for an Australian Constitution that recognises the fact of history regarding the First Peoples of Australia and note that it is God who ;’made all peoples to inhabit the whole earth, and allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live’ (Acts 17). I also believe that the best policy in complex matters, including those of justice, comes from consultation with those affected, and therefore that recognition should take the form of a Voice.

I will be voting Yes.

Tim Hein

 

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As an immigrant of multicultural Australia, I whole heartly support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its call for a First Nations voice guaranteed by the Constitution.

I will be voting Yes.

Paul Goh

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I believe supporting the Voice to Parliament is an expression of my commitment, as a follower of Jesus, to a Vision for a Just Australia, in which we can all flourish.

I will be voting Yes.

Deidre Palmer

 

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Constitutional recognition and a parliamentary determined advisory group of Indigenous Australians seem a wise and timely way forward for Australia’s future.

I will be voting Yes.

Andrew Hogarth 

 

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‘Indigenous affairs’ now equals ‘political expediency.’ This is devastating for long-suffering Aboriginal leaders and communities. I will vote Yes for the only way to reset how governments actually work …

I will be voting Yes.

Graham Brice

 

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God calls us into covenantal relationship with 100% of God’s people through reconciling, seeking truth, and living in peace together. Recognition and enabling an advisory Voice for our First Peoples is covenantal.

I will be voting Yes.

Anne Hewitt

 

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It is through deep listening that I have decided to accept the invitation from Congress to show my support for a Voice to Parliament.

I will be voting Yes.

Linda Driver

 

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The Uluru Statement from the Heart (2017) was a gracious call by our First Nations to walk together – as all Australians – for a better future. After years of inaction this is a chance to take a positive step forward through the Voice.

I will be voting Yes.

Scott Litchfield

 

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As I read the 3 clauses (92 words) being proposed as additions to our nations Constitution, I believe they are the necessary next step in Australia’s ongoing journey of reconciliation.

I will be voting Yes.

Nick Patselis

 

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I’m supporting The Voice to Parliament because of the UAICC/UCA Covenant. We should celebrate the oldest continuous living culture. I celebrate the ways my siblings in Congress have taught me about God.

I will be voting Yes.

Richard Telfer

 

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Because I want recognition of silenced First Peoples in Australia’s Constitution and the guarantee of their voice advising their issues.

I will be voting Yes.

Sue Ellis

 

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