The National Rugby League has taken an Australian sporting-first stance on the upcoming Indigenous Voice referendum, revealing it will back a ‘yes’ vote.
The NRL said it was a proud supporter of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and was committed to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice.
Its position follows support for the ‘yes’ campaign from the Australian Olympic Committee and AFL clubs Collingwood and West Coast.
The NRL is the first national governing body of a football code to take a stance on the referendum. There are, however, reports a coalition of other sporting bodies will announce their support later this year.
“First Nations communities have deep bonds with rugby league and are part of our fabric at all levels, from grassroots participants and fans to the Indigenous stars who light up the NRL and NRLW,” the league said on Tuesday.
“True change comes through listening, learning and taking action and we encourage everyone in the rugby league community to get informed by the facts, and use their voice, so that we can move forward together.”
The NRL has had its own independent voice since the establishment of the Australian Rugby League Commission.
The Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council plays an integral role in making representations to the commission with ideas and views on behalf of Indigenous people.
Announcing the AOC position on Saturday, president Ian Chesterman said the organisation believed a successful ‘yes’ vote would lead to reconciliation with Indigenous people.
“We did not take this decision lightly as we know there will be those within the Olympic movement who will vote ‘no’ and we respect their right to do so,” he said.
Tweet from @NRL
The committee’s decision was guided by its Indigenous advisory group.
Group chair Patrick Johnson said it had considered both referendum campaigns before coming to its position to back the ‘yes’ vote.
“Respect for the opinions of others was very important to us,” he said.
“Most importantly we wanted to ensure there was a full appreciation and knowledge of the issues before we were in a position to offer our view.”
The AOC Athletes’ Commission has also backed the ‘yes’ vote. Chair Cate Campbell said the stance could make a difference across the country.
“What was key to our consideration was that commitment to first, acknowledging our First Nations people and second, the desire for practical measures to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians,” she said.
The referendum, to be held sometime between October and December, is looking to enshrine an Indigenous voice in the Australian constitution.
It will be Australia’s first referendum since 1999 and the first for about 6.4 million Australians.
Changing the constitution requires a double majority of voters, either at a national level from all states and territories or in at least four of the six states.
– AAP
