Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister
I marched for Aboriginal land rights before I could walk.
My mum and dad, Wendy and Ron, would take me along in the pram to regular marches through the streets of Perth in the 1980s.
I am proud of having used my voice for reconciliation.
I am proud of our State’s recent history on the road to reconciliation. A land of 45,000 years of continuous Aboriginal culture.
Western Australia has provided leadership in acknowledging our Aboriginal history.
Each time it has brought the people, and politicians, of our state closer together.
In 1997, the then Liberal-National Western Australian Government was the first in Australia to apologise for the forced removal of Aboriginal children. I commend Richard Court for this.
In 2015, the then Liberal-National Western Australian government amended the Western Australian Constitution to recognise Aboriginal people. A bipartisan moment for Colin Barnett and Mark McGowan, led by Josie Farrer.
Now, in 2023, the WA Labor Government supports recognition and enshrining an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Australian Constitution.
Premier McGowan has led with his support at National Cabinet. The leadership of state opposition leaders been commendable too.
Our state is ready to take the next step in our proud recent history of reconciliation.
Because at its heart, the Voice has seen Western Australians are making a significant contribution to the future of our nation.
Ken Wyatt is a member of the working group advising the Australian Government on the referendum. Building on his leadership as a Coalition Cabinet Minister.
Senator Patrick Dodson is the Albanese Government’s Special Envoy for Reconciliation, bringing a lifetime of experience to this critical role.
It is an honour to serve with him on Prime Minister Albanese’s Cabinet Committee for Constitutional Recognition.
WA Greens Party Senator Dorinda Cox was recently announced as the Greens new First Nations Spokesperson.
We are fortunate in WA to be guided across the political spectrum to the advancement of the Voice.
This year a referendum will be held. 17.3 million Australians will have the opportunity to have their say.
A crucial step in our nation’s history.
Recently, our national Parliament acknowledged 15 years since the Apology to Indigenous Australians for forced removals of Indigenous children from their families.
As a young Western Australian, I was fortunate to be in the building the day Kevin Rudd made the apology.
To witness the strength and courage of those that accepted it.
A day that is now one of the proudest moments of the Commonwealth Parliament.
That is why I welcome the actions of Peter Dutton in apologising for his boycott. He has rightly reflected and explained he “failed to grasp at the time the symbolic significance.
This year we will all reflect and seek to right past wrongs. Looking to bring Australians from all backgrounds together.
There are not many things that unite Eagles and Dockers supporters, but prominent members from both clubs have been vocal supporters for the Voice.
Carmen Lawrence and Woodside don’t agree on much, but they both agree on the need for a Voice.
BHP and Rio Tinto agree that non-Indigenous Australians have a lot to learn from Indigenous Australians, that we cannot simply stand on the sidelines.
A number of local councils have expressed their support too.
From the City of Vincent, to the City of Fremantle, local communities are expressing their support for the Voice.
The largest local government authority in Australia, the Shire of East Pilbara, home to at least 13 Indigenous language groups, has expressed its support for the Voice.
Every day we hear of more Australians doing the same.
This is the power of the Voice. It will bring Australians together for a better future.
Patrick Gorman is the Federal Member for Perth and the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister.
