6 Reasons Why the Alliance for Animals Supports the Voice
On October 14, Australians will be asked to answer yes or no to the question of whether the Constitution should be altered to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia and establish a Voice to Parliament.
Here are 6 reasons why we are saying Yes to the Voice.
1. Affected parties should always be considered in decision-making
All Australians benefit when the experience of those affected by governmental decisions are heard during the policy-making process. The Voice is Australia’s opportunity to change how policies relevant to First Nations peoples are developed, by helping to ensure decisions affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are no longer made without their involvement.
2. The majority of First Nations people support the Voice
Across our sector there is deep respect for First Nations culture, their connection to Country and the importance of First Nations views in developing policy. Accordingly, we respect the majority view of First Nations people that supporting the Voice is the right decision.
3. We have work to do on improving our engagement with First Nations peoples
Animal welfare organisations have often struggled to meaningfully engage with First Nations communities, a problem which has been exacerbated by the continuing lack of diversity in our sector. This needs to change, and supporting the Voice presents an important opportunity for addressing this historical shortcoming.
4. Progress in closing the gap improves the welfare of both First Nations peoples and animals
Closing the gap will not only benefit the health and welfare of First Nations communities, but also the animals within those communities. Although the Voice alone cannot achieve this, it is a crucial stepping stone towards closing the gap. We know that listening to First Nations peoples helps improve their health and welfare outcomes, and the Voice will provide an important constitutionally enshrined forum for this dialogue to take place.
5. Genuine reconciliation with First Nations peoples will help protect Australia’s unique and amazing wildlife and landscapes
Deepening our connection with the knowledge of the natural environment generated from 65,000 years of continuous sustainable culture can only lead to better outcomes for animals. Many of us in the animal protection community were drawn to caring for and about animals through a love of Australia’s natural landscapes and wildlife. When we meet, we routinely recognise the enduring connection of First Nations people to Country and the animals within it. But we still have much to learn about that connection. The drawing together of Indigenous representatives through the Voice will help educate all Australians about the invaluable knowledge First Nations peoples have to offer about Country and our precious wildlife.
6. The Voice will be a first step towards transformative change increasing momentum on broader social justice issues including animal protection
We support full implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which has three key pillars of reform – Voice, Treaty and Truth. Achieving a ‘Yes’ vote on the Voice will be an important first step towards realising all of the vital reforms asked for in the Statement. It will also act as a broader catalyst for change, bolstering and inspiring the social justice reform agenda, including animal law and policy reform.
The Alliance for Animals supports this once-in-a-generation opportunity to walk a better path as a nation and says Yes to the Voice. Read our Statement of Support here.
We are proud to be a member of the Allies for Uluru Coalition, made up of over 200 civil society organisations that have come together to support the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, starting with the establishment of a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution.
Photo sourced from: Jo-Anne McArthur We Animals Media.