Josh Burns (Macnamara, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When William Cooper advocated for representation of First Nations people to our parliament over 80 years ago, he did so because he understood the power of representation, the power of a voice. The voice as requested in the Uluru Statement from the Heart is a generous opportunity for Australia, for decency and for good manners to simply consult and listen to First Nations people on the issues that relate to them and to bring our nation closer together. It does not come at the expense of services but rather is a chance to strengthen them.

As we know, changes to our Constitution are hard. They require unity from all sides of politics. They require a choice between the bigots and those advancing truth-seeking and advancing a voice. So I extend a hand of cooperation to the Leader of the Greens and the Leader of the Opposition: Stop looking for reasons to make this harder. Stop looking for reasons to divide us. Instead, start helping. Help our country achieve this historic reform. Help recognise in our Constitution the 65,000 years of history of our First Australians.