The Voice - One Woman Project Position Statement

The One Woman Project proudly supports the Yes campaign and a Voice to Parliament in the upcoming referendum on October 14. We stand in solidarity with the goal of increasing representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in decision-making. 

We recognise that this referendum has been a violent process enforced upon First Nations communities by a settler state. First Nations futures should not be determined by a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’, nor should they be examined by the 97% of the Australian population who actively benefit from settler-colonisation  and never lived through the trauma and oppression experienced by First Nations communities. 

We are sorry for the pain, the labour, and the division this referendum has caused. We are grateful for First Nations generosity, for the diverse perspectives and lived experiences shared. We acknowledge that OWP is coming to this discussion as non-Indigenous folks, and as such we are committed to honouring the complexity of Indigenous opinions during this referendum and beyond.  

We also recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have called for a Voice for close to 100 years, and that 243 of 250 delegates at the First Nations National Constitutional Convention in 2017 endorsed the Uluru Statement. 

OWP is taking this stance because we believe it is our responsibility, as settlers on this land, to advocate for structural changes in the colonial systems in which we live. We have had a hand in shaping these systems with every federal and local election. We cannot stand by nor abstain from the vote now when it is an opportunity to hold ourselves and the Australian government accountable for our promises to First Nations communities. 

We are hopeful the Voice to Parliament is a pivotal step towards a more transparent, inclusive, and equitable society. We believe a successful referendum is an opportunity for all Australians to move forward with strength and pride.  

We hold that the fight for racial and First Nations justice does not end with this referendum, and that this is only a steppingstone towards progress. We commit to reviewing our policies, procedures, and actions to ensure our mission aligns with ending First Nations injustice and promoting the wellbeing of First Nations communities. We will continue learning about First Nations culture, and how current systems affect First Nations people, so we can identify steps towards challenging these systems.  

We acknowledge that our volunteers, partners, and community members all have their own views. We ask our OWP community to be informed through credible sources and media when deciding how they vote in this important moment in our history. 

Further Resources (website)