Voice to Parliament Community Forum

26 April 2023 | Media Release

UPDATED 10 May 2023

Tickets to our free Voice to Parliament Community Forum have now sold out but click here to register to view the event live online this evening.

26 April 2023

Waverley Council is inviting the community to take part in our Voice to Parliament Community Forum on Wednesday 10 May at 6.30pm at Bondi Pavilion Theatre.

The forum is an opportunity to learn about the upcoming Voice to Parliament Referendum, a crucial vote that will determine whether an Indigenous Advisory Body will be enshrined in the Australian Constitution, to provide a platform for First Nations peoples to have a say on issues that affect them.

In November last year, Waverley Council unanimously voted to support the Uluru Statement From the Heart which calls for two substantive changes: the Voice to Parliament and a Makarrata Commission to supervise agreement making and truth-telling about our First Nations history.

Our community forum will be an interactive event with a panel of special speakers who will provide information about the Voice to Parliament and take audience questions. Panelists include:

  • Ruby Langton-Batty: First Nations lawyer and Biennale Sydney board member
  • Craig Foster: human rights activist, NSW Australian of the year 2023 and former Socceroo
  • Michael Ingrey: Chief Executive Officer, Inner Sydney Empowered Communities
  • Councillor Paula Masselos, Mayor of Waverley

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said the forum is for anyone who wants to learn more about the upcoming referendum and what it means for First Nations Peoples in this country.

“The Uluru Statement From the Heart calls for legal and lasting structural reforms to reshape the relationship between First Nations Peoples and the Australian population,” Mayor Masselos said.

“Council’s position on the Statement reflects our ongoing commitment to reconciliation as outlined in our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), adopted in 2019.

“The RAP outlines Council’s vision for a vibrant, resilient, caring and inclusive community where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples practice and celebrate their culture and heritage proudly, are honoured for their survival and resilience, respected and acknowledged as First Nations peoples with the right to determine their own futures, and supported to continue to overcome adversity.

"Waverley Council is continuing to work with our RAP Committee, the Uluru Dialogue, Yes 23 campaign and representatives of the traditional owners of the Sydney area with connection to Waverley in the design of our education and awareness about the Statement.

To register to attend our free Voice to Parliament Community Forum in person or online via live stream, visit https://events.humanitix.com/voice-to-parliament-community-forum.

For more information, visit our new Uluru Statement From the Heart page on our website.

To register to receive information about events and activities taking place to raise awareness around the Voice to Parliament, visit haveyoursay.waverley.nsw.gov.au.

Interested in joining our RAP Committee? Expressions of Interest close 10 May at https://haveyoursay.waverley.nsw.gov.au/rapcommittee.

-ENDS-

Media inquiries: media@waverley.nsw.gov.au or 0416 075 532.