Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

The government has been clear that the referendum is about recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution through the Voice. It's about recognition and listening: about recognising the 65,000 years of shared history and culture that we should all be very proud of and about setting up the Voice so that we can improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by making sure that they are heard. We have seen some of the best of this approach and some of the concerns raised through the debate in this chamber over the past week or so, but I think all of us, now that that bill has passed, need to proceed with the discussion about the referendum with respect and care for each other and seize the opportunity that comes from the generous Uluru Statement from the Heart about working together for a better future. That is something that the government are keen to do. We are focused on it.