Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I thank all those who have attended this morning in the gallery and, in particular, our young people up there. This is an incredibly significant day in the history of our country and the parliament, in terms of the final debate on the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023.

We have heard from senators over the last week as well as today, in terms of their views on the Constitution alteration bill. We've certainly heard from the lower house as well, from all members who've spoken there. It has been done, if I may say so, in a very dignified way here in the Senate, and I am incredibly grateful for that—that senators have been able to conduct themselves in that way despite the different views, and there are many, and despite the deep passion and, obviously, for some, despite the concerns that they raise that give them a great deal of worry about what the future looks like.

I stand here not only as a senator for the Northern Territory but also as a Yanyuwa Garrawa woman, a First Nations woman from Borroloola in the Gulf of Carpentaria, and say how incredibly proud I am to be able to stand and speak for the Voice and the importance of being able to go to a referendum and say yes for our country, yes for a better future and yes for First Nations people being able to make decisions in terms of advising the parliament and the executive as to decisions made about them so they can have input into that. It is a very simple request: to be recognised in the Australian Constitution. And, yes, there are many schools of thought about that, but the symbolic nature of being included in that Constitution means a great deal to many First Nations people.

In fact, during this whole debate we have seen, with research polling across the country, that the majority of First Nations people want this to happen. They want this to happen. They are reaching out to all Australians to be able to feel proud of this time in our country's history, where we can lift one another up and where First Nations people can be and feel very much a part of the complete fabric. It is the systemic change that was called for by those who gathered at Uluru on Anangu country—the systemic change within the Westminster system of parliament, of governance, that we all live under, whether we like it or not. That has been the very simple request of all of those First Nations people who came together through all the dialogues and came together on Anangu country six years ago.

But this journey began long before that. It has gone on for decades, and I take this moment to remember Senator Pat Dodson, who led us through the reconciliation process and who is here with us in spirit today, all the way from Broome in his home country. We think of you, Pat, because it is you who have given us, certainly on this side, and I know for my First Nations colleagues Linda Burney, Marion Scrymgour, Senator Jana Stewart and also Gordon Reid, who I know is with us as well—it's important that we are able to pursue this as a country in dignity, with respect for one another. Yes, we have our differences, but isn't that what a referendum is all about? Isn't the referendum an opportunity for Australians to reach out to us as parliamentarians and say yes or no to what we take to them?

I do thank in advance the senators who will be supporting this bill, despite your personal opposition to it. It is important that we send a message across the country that this referendum matters and that it should be conducted with the utmost dignity, and we should show not only each other but our global family around the world that First Nations people do matter in this country and that First Nations people's voices are being heard throughout this process.

But I am concerned a little bit when I hear some of the commentary that goes on, and I still urge all Australians to dig deep, to listen to the better side of yourself throughout this debate and to keep it at a level that is respectful. I am mindful, when we reflect on the marriage equality debate, of the hurt, the deep hurt, that impacted a lot of those families throughout that whole debate. I ask all Australians to ensure that we have our discussions and debates, our considerations as we walk this journey, this very sacred journey, of our country, with the utmost respect for one another—and that means all sides. All of us on the 'yes' side, I urge you to be mindful of the commentary and the conversations that we have with the broader Australian public. All those on the 'no' side, I ask you to do the same. It is only then that we can find the better part of ourselves as a country, the better part of ourselves as Australians—as all Australians. This is a critical moment in our country's history. It is the right thing to do, and it is time now to put this question to the Australian people.