AUSTRALIA
One of Australia's most prominent Indigenous elders has made a passionate call to arms for the Voice in Queensland, declaring the state "ground zero" for the referendum and urging voters to seize a "momentous" occasion.
Speaking at Queensland's Media Club, Noel Pearson — who was an architect of the Uluru Statement from the Heart — called the Voice debate "the most important event in 250 years".
He cited Eddie Mabo, whose now-famous legal challenge overturned the concept of terra nullius; John Koowarta, whose legal action against the Queensland government proved the Racial Discrimination Act was constitutional; and Dr Evelyn Scott, a key campaigner from the 1967 referendum.
"All of the great Indigenous heroes that we follow in the footsteps of, they're Queenslanders," Mr Pearson said.
"The champion Indigenous leaders … they've laid this opportunity for all of us.
"History calls upon us to lead, and not waste the opportunity."
Mr Pearson has been an ardent supporter of the Yes campaign, saying its success would be contingent upon communication.
"Our message has got to be one of friendship and hope," he said.
"Whatever fears are being generated around the countryside about the Voice, we've just got to take the view that our message of unity, trust and friendship will prevail over the voices of fear and contempt."
Desire for change
Mr Pearson was joined at the function by Lockhart River Mayor Wayne Butcher, who spoke of the Voice as a "window of opportunity" to create change in Indigenous communities.
"The challenge is no one listens, and you never get heard if you do speak," Mr Butcher said.
"The norm practice for decision making has always been 'we know what is right for you'. We're always on the rough end of the pineapple when it comes to receiving some of these policies.
"We can't stay in the position we are in right now."
Aurukun Shire Mayor Keri Tamwoy – who was named National NAIDOC Person of the Year in 2021 – said the constitutional change would allow Indigenous communities to create real "partnerships" when it comes to issues like health and education.
"Stakeholders sitting around our fireplaces and experiencing what we go through on a daily basis," she said.
"The multi-million-dollar health care system that we have in place for our people is failing us miserably.
"When I go home, I have to prepare for two funerals. How many of our people must continue to die well before their age before Australia does the right thing by us."
Fundamentals laid in Queensland
There's been heavy advertising from the No campaign in Queensland and poor polling for the Yes vote lately.
But Mr Pearson said he believed the "fundamentals of a win" have already been laid in the state.
"Not for a minute do I believe this state is lost," he said.
"We don't have as much political leadership as we would like but I believe, with the support of the Queensland community, we can get it right.
"It falls to certain generations to make history, to seize history, and it's fallen on us.
"What we do in this referendum is going to be absolutely momentous. It's our one chance."
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