With Prime Minister Anthony Albanese having announced October 14 as the day Australians will be asked to vote on the ‘Voice’, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council reiterated its stance contained within the 2023 Social Justice Statement, Listen, Learn, Love – A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

“Australians have an opportunity to begin a new chapter this year with the referendum on the Voice to Parliament. We in NATSICC know there are criticisms, even from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people support the referendum,” NATSICC said in a statement.

“Just as the churches strongly supported the 1967 referendum, we hope that Catholics, along with other people of faith, will support the Yes campaign.

“It is a commitment to recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution and promoting healing and unity. It will be the next step in a process of empowering us to participate in the decisions that will make a difference for the better for our people.

“We, NATSICC, feel that the referendum is too important to fail. The consequences for our people and the whole nation would be devastating.”

Read the full ACBC Social Justice Statement here.

For more referendum resources and discussion, visit the NATSICC website.