WANADA Supports a First Nations Voice to Parliament

The WANADA Board is pleased to announce its unanimous support for a First Nations Voice enshrined in our Constitution, to recognise, listen to and learn from First Nations peoples in Parliament.

WANADA strongly supports Aboriginal Self-Determination and recognises its importance in the alcohol and other drug sector and more broadly, the wider Australian community. WANADA wishes to express its support concurrently with the National Closing the Gap Day (16 March) and the commencement of WA Harmony Week (15-21 March).

We encourage our members and the broader community to consider their role in supporting the principles of Self-Determination, closing the gap, and enshrining a First Nations voice in our Constitution.

Background to the First Nations Voice to Parliament

The Uluru Statement from the Heart calls for legal and structural reforms, namely a First Nations Voice to Parliament and the establishment of a Makarrata Commission to oversee agreement making and truth telling about Australia’s history.

A First Nations Voice to Parliament is a Constitutionally-enshrined First Nations body which will be able to influence laws and policies that affect First Nations communities via Federal Parliament. Embedding a Voice in the Constitution means that future Governments cannot abolish the Voice.

More information is available via the Uluru Statement website.