The government’s campaign to raise support for a referendum on a First Nations voice to parliament was highlighted to a packed and enthusiastic meeting in the inner west of Sydney on Thursday evening.
Australia’s new minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, received a standing ovation after she told the crowd at Marrickville town hall the Uluru Statement was an “incredibly generous invitation to the Australian people to walk together with First Nations people, and the journey begins here in Marrickville”.
Burney said she was happy to be speaking from the “socialist republic of Marrickville” and said local government across Australia would be crucial to ensuring a successful referendum.
“Build consensus, be flexible and compromise,” Burney told the crowd. “The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a beautiful and, as our prime minister says, a simple and elegant statement.
“Everyone should take this forward – with your family, friends and your work. Be loud and proud about your support online. Write to your local politicians and get them to come on board – chambers of commerce, church and religious groups, Rotary, the CWA, the community sector, guides, scouts, lifesavers as well.
“Everyone can have leadership in taking this forward and be inspired. We cannot do it without you,” Burney said. “This is not symbolic, everyone. This will make a difference to social justice issues.”
Dean Parkin, director of the From the Heart campaign, told the crowd the statement was not just a symbolic creation and had a practical application.
“It’s just the fair thing to do. We’ve got to see a practical change and this is bringing the country together, to unify the nation around something, to genuinely move us forward as a nation,” Parkin said.
“Read it, and read it again. People have put a lot of work into it. Yes, we’ve had some political headwinds, but I want you to remember that the Uluru statement wasn’t actually issued to any prime minister, political party or any government. Read it – it’s issued to you.”
Parkin said he was confident there was a “well of goodwill” to tap into.
“And that is just opening hearts, welcoming people … and making it easy for people get on board.
“The people are our focus.”
Inner West council mayor, Darcy Byrne, later said he would support the training of 1,000 locals to advocate for the referendum campaign.
In closing comments, WA Labor senator Pat Dodson told the crowd there was nothing to be afraid of.
“This is an enhancement as a nation,” Dodson said. “In successfully recognising and entrenching a Voice, this is an enhancement for us. This is not the British constitution. This is our constitution – this is what we do as Australians … beginning to change the terrible indictment upon First Nations since day one.”
•This article was amended on 17 June to clarify that Linda Burney was speaking at a forum for support for a referendum on a First Nations voice to parliament
