Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I start, please note this is not my first speech. I rise to express my support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and to express my support for voice, for treaty and for truth. I acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri elders and knowledge holders who have paved the way for those here now, for those proudly following in their footsteps and for those yet to come as custodians and owners of country. I also acknowledge that my home and electorate office in Western Australia are on Whadjuk Noongar boodjar and I pay my respects to their elders as well. I recognise their resilience and strength and appreciate their knowledge-sharing and stories that influence the lives of new Australians like me.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart calls on all of us here elected to this parliament to rise to the moment to accept the hand stretched out to us by the First Nations people. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's history-making speech on Saturday has given us a path to approaching this work with humility and hope. Like our Prime Minister I believe there is room in the hearts of Australians for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The question to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice is simple. Let's engage in good faith. Let's live to the Australian values of decency and fairness. A constitutionally enshrined voice to the parliament is significant and practical reform to get long overdue outcomes for First Nations people. This government is looking to bring people together, not to divide them. A First Nations voice on First Nations matters. It's not that difficult. It's not too much to ask for. It's the least we can do. This work will help to close the gap and make our nation stronger. It's time to get this done together.