Statement of Support
for the Voice to Parliament
One Door Mental Health is supporting a Voice to Parliament as part of our commitment to reconciliation and social justice. A First Nations Voice to Parliament protected by the Constitution was a key recommendation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The ‘Voice’ is a representative advisory body that provides a permanent mechanism to Government ensuring the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to advise politicians on what really works, and what really matters to them.
One Door Mental Health, as a provider of specialist mental health services in NSW, believes that the Voice will lead to improved outcomes for the health, mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations peoples.
On Saturday 14 October 2023, the government will ask all Australians to vote in a referendum on the establishment of a First Nations Voice to Parliament. Voting in the referendum is mandatory for Australian citizens aged 18+. Voters will be asked a simple question with a yes or no answer: Should we recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution with a Voice?
While a Voice to Parliament will not solve everything, we believe it is an important first step towards improved social and emotional wellbeing for people and communities, by ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can advise the government on decisions and actions that impact them and their families and communities.
One Door knows that everyone will have a different perspective on the Voice to Parliament. We encourage you to find out more from the Australian Government and the Australian Electoral Commission before the referendum so that you can make an informed decision. Reconciliation Australia also has a number of useful resources you may wish to access here.