Thank you for your continued support of truth, treaty and voice. Find out what else you can do to help us campaign today.
The State or territory in which you live may have already started on its path to truth, treaty and voice. Together we can still work to elevate the nation – State by State, territory by territory, community by community! Find out what’s happening in your backyard and help ANTAR campaign for First Nations rights and justice.
Follow these two simple steps:
You may use the template below, but we encourage you to write a personal message about why you want our elected leaders to put the rights of First Nations Peoples above politics.
Write to your State or territory local MP, Premier/Chief Minister, and Leader of the Opposition
Dear Mr / Mrs [SURNAME] MP, [OR] Premier/Chief Minister of [State/territory] [OR] Leader of the Opposition.
My name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in [ELECTORATE].
The defeat of the Voice to Parliament was devastating – for myself, for the 6.2 million other Australians who voted Yes, and most of all for First Nations communities, who invited us to walk with them in a movement for a better future.
However, the fight for justice continues. A No vote on this one particular proposal for constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament is not a mandate for going backwards on the principles and calls to action of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
There is nothing to fear about treaties, truth-telling, and listening to First Nations voices.
Treaty-making is simply about forging mutually beneficial agreements between interested parties which lay out shared responsibilities within a relationship. Such agreements can be beneficial for the general economy, as they create clarity and certainty. They can also contribute to greater social cohesion, as well as address some of the entrenched marginalisation and known gaps in socio-economic indicators between First Nations and non-Indigenous peoples. In this sense, treaty-making can be a positive contributor to the government’s commitment to closing the gap.
Truth-telling is about collective accountability and honesty – so we don’t make the same mistakes again. It is clear from evidence-based research, local and international examples, as well as affirmed in the Productivity Commission’s report on Closing the Gap, that the key to progressing First Nations rights and justice is self-determination, culturally-attuned solutions and addressing individual and structural racism in our communities and systems.
We know that listening to communities on the issues that affect them leads to better outcomes. We must all continue to hear the voices of First Nations people through their leadership and the on-ground organisations working for progress and positive change.
Like many other [ELECTORATE [OR] State/territory] voters, I prioritise social justice when I go to vote. I encourage you to remember this and look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
[YOUR NAME]
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