Anglicare Southern Queensland and the Anglican Southern Church of Southern Queensland were proud partners of From the Heart.
What was From the Heart?
From the Heart stems from the 2017 National Constitutional Convention where the Uluru Statement from the Heart was signed by more than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates.
It was a petition from First Nations Australians to call for constitutional reform that would recognise Indigenous rights. Thus, allowing them to have a greater say in decisions affecting their communities within the Australian political system.
The Uluru Statement identified three key pillars for the reform. They were:
- Voice – a mechanism that would allow First Nations people to provide their own expert advice to Parliament. Moreover, regarding the laws and policies that affect them and their people.
- Treaty – which would allow governments and First Nations people to acknowledge historical and contemporary rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Furthermore, it would recognise sovereignty, and that Australia was never ceded.
- Truth – allowing for the full extent of injustices of First Nations people to be exposed. This would enable a shared understanding of Australia’s colonial history and the impacts it has on First Nations people today.
Anglicare and the Anglican Church of Southern Queensland’s partnership
In 2022, Anglicare Southern Queensland and the Anglican Church of Southern Queensland pledged their official partnership to the From the Heart campaign.
The Anglican Church of Southern Queensland was the first church, nationally, to partner with the campaign.
Reverand Canon Bruce Boase, a Wakka Wakka Elder and Chair of the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group explained, “The Uluru Statement From the Heart is a gift to all Australians – a roadmap to fairness… By voting ‘yes’ Australians will take another meaningful step forward towards Reconciliation. Because, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will then be properly heard on matters that directly concern them.”
Sue Cooke, the Chief Executive Officer of Anglicare Southern Queensland, added to the testament of Rev’d Canon Bruce Boase. She stated, “Anglicare Southern Queensland has always supported elevating the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our support… is an example of our commitment to social justice for the families and young people we work with and serve.”
“As a healthcare provider, Anglicare also acknowledges the evidence that tells us health is closely linked to social, economic, cultural and historic factors. Supporting the Statement will lead to health legislation that meets the needs of, and improve the health of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Health outcomes
Aunty Dr Rose Elu, a member of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council and the Anglican Church Southern Queensland Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, explained, “As a social worker and Elder, I see firsthand on a daily basis how important it is that we closed the significant health and life expectancy gap.”
“I know that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a genuine say on issues that affect them, we get much better results on the ground.”
The result
In October 2023, Australian’s took to the polling booths to vote on the referendum. They were asked if they approved to the Australian Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through The Voice. Unfortunately, the results of the referendum were not in favour of the proposed change. Just over 60% of Australian’s voted ‘no’.
This devastating result was a blow to national reconciliation efforts and importantly First Nations peoples and communities. It has had deeply sad impacts for many communities and is expected to for some time to come.
While we reflect on the 2023 decision of most Australian voters, Anglicare Southern Queensland and the Anglican Church of Southern Queensland will continue to stand by First Nations peoples. Furthermore, we pledge our continued support and commitment towards efforts that recognise their voice and history to move forward. To learn more about our commitment and efforts in this space, please visit our First Nations page on our website.