The Voice to Parliament is a complex and emotionally burdening topic for many people in Australia, most of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Following information sessions and internal discussions, members of Student Council and FUSA staff were asked what position they thought FUSA should take on the Voice Referendum. By large majorities, both Student Council and staff felt FUSA should take a YES position.

We acknowledge this referendum isn’t perfect, far from it. We will not pretend that there are no valid criticisms or concerns, nor that we do not share in some of them.

We believe however, that though the Voice to Parliament is not a solution, it is a single step in Reconciliation. One that creates a permanent and stable platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to give advice to – and be heard by the Government about matters that affect First Nations peoples.

So FUSA advocates for ‘Yes’.

But this cannot be left to stand by itself.

The power of the Voice depends upon the commitment of the presiding Government to listen and act upon the advice given to them. Further, FUSA has a commitment to Voice, Treaty and Truth. These demands will never be satisfied in isolation. Progress will only be meaningful when we see it in all three: it’s Voice AND Treaty AND Truth.

FUSA’s commitment to sovereignty and self-determination for First Nations peoples is unchanged by the facts of the Referendum question.

And this commitment will be unchanged by the Referendum result, one way or the other.

Vote YES on 14 October. Irrespective of your vote, support sovereignty and self-determination – always.