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11 Oct 2023

Australia: Major businesses support constitutional amendment to establish Indigenous people's Voice to Parliament

Yothu Yindi CEO signing the Uluru statement Denise Bowden

Major companies expressed their support for a constitutional amendment for the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

Australians vote in a federal referendum last 14 October to decide whether to constitutionally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the establishment of a representative Voice intended to provide non-binding advice to the parliament. The amendment, which aimed to "address entrenched disadvantage among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people”, would reflect the Uluru Statement from the Heart made by 250 First Nations representatives in 2017.

Some of Australia's biggest companies, including miners, banks and retailers such as BHP, Rio Tinto, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ANZ and Woolworths expressed their support for the Voice, along with the UN Global Compact Network Australia.

“Australia’s business community overwhelmingly understands the importance of reconciliation, and the obligation we all have to building a better future for some of the most disadvantaged people in Australia. They understand the importance of recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s rightful place in our Constitution. It is recognition that giving Indigenous Australians a voice will lead to better policies that make a practical difference.” - Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians

The referendum failed.

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