The Australian Women’s History Network (AWHN) wishes to share our support for the Australian Historical Association’s Special Resolution Endorsing an Indigenous Voice to Parliament:

At the AHA’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday 6 July 2023, the AHA passed the following special resolution:

“That the Australian Historical Association reaffirms its commitment to the full implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart 2017. It urges all of its members to inform themselves about the issues at stake in the forthcoming referendum and endorses the proposal for recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution through the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.”

(Australian Historical Association, 2023)

The AWHN recognises the urgent need for justice for First Nations peoples. The AWHN sees support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Indigenous Voice to Parliament as a step in the right direction.

On Wednesday 30 August 2023, the Australian Federal Government announced that the Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice will be held on Saturday 14 October 2023.

The AWHN also wish to recognise that the next six weeks may be a difficult time for many First Nations peoples. We encourage our members to support their colleagues, friends, family, neighbours, and communities in any way they can.

 

Open Letter in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart

The Australian Women’s History Network’s co-convenors and members have joined the more than 350 historians from around Australia who have accepted the Uluru Statement from the Heart and signed an open letter in support of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.