Council supports Voice to Parliament at meeting

The Council endorsed the recommendation, with Deputy Mayor, Cr Anthony Brophy, moving the recommendation, supported by Cr Dinny Adem who seconded the motion.

Mayor Cr Shane Sali said that Council’s support of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament was the result of many local community members asking councillors, as leaders in the community, to collectively have a position.

Cr Anthony Brophy, who moved the motion said, “We are privileged to have the largest First Nations population in Victoria outside Melbourne, and we have one of only two First Nations Councillors across all of Victoria. We have Cr Greg James on Council which provides us with a unique opportunity, a valued viewpoint, and if you like, in essence, a Voice to and within Local Government.”

Cr Greg James, who has been a strong advocate for supporting the Voice to Parliament said, “I want to thank my fellow councillors for supporting this decision. It is vitally important that we continue to support our First Nations community here in Greater Shepparton.”

As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a referendum will be held between October and December 2023 to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution, by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

The Voice would be an independent and permanent advisory body that would give advice to the Australian Parliament and Government on matters that affect the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.