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

The National Week of Action for the Voice to Parliament was from 18 to 24 February. During this week, I attended open days at Edith Cowan University in Joondalup and at the University of Western Australia and spoke to students about the Voice. Many students wanted to hear and learn about the Voice or to express their support for the Voice and ask what they could do to help. I could say that I was surprised, but I wasn't. Young people in this country are progressive, caring and motivated to push for this simple change to our Constitution. They understand that this campaign goes beyond politics. It is about setting the foundation for Australia to walk on a path towards reconciliation with First Nations people together.

I told the students that over the coming months there will be a lot of debate and they will hear a lot of facts but also a lot of misleading statements. They can help by knowing the facts. The referendum is about only two things: the 'what'—to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our Constitution—and the 'how'—to consult them on matters which affect them. It is a simple change, and explaining this to our friends and family will go a long way to ensuring that, when Australians have their say on referendum day, whatever they write on the ballot will be a decision they're making with all the information they need. I support the Voice, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, and so do the young Western Australian students I hear from.