(Part 2 of 2) The Uluru Statement from the Heart and a First Nations Voice - with Dean Parkin Artwork

Time to Listen

Ever since the Federation of Australia, a plethora of politicians, academics and media personalities have opined and commentated on Indigenous Australian affairs. But amongst the discourse, whether it be formalised debate or discordant blither, one voice has been notably absent: the collective voice of First Nations people. As of 2020, First Nations peoples comprise just 3.3% of the Australian population. Yet they represent 29% of the incarcerated Australian population, including an estimated 46% of the incarcerated juvenile population. First Nations children also represent approximately 37% of Australian children in foster care. They suffer a suite of disparate mortality statistics and morbidity factors in comparison to the non-Indigenous population. They also enjoy far less participation in home ownership, education attainment and leadership positions, and even as all these gaps begin to show signs of narrowing, other contemporary socioeconomic gaps begin to yawn. Are First Nations voices being heard on such matters? Have you heard them? This is Time to Listen, a podcast that gives a space and a platform to the First Nations voices of the Cape York Peninsula, and wider Australia. Whether you are passionate about racial equality, or simply curious about First Nations culture (and anything in between) this is the podcast for you. Want to know more about the diversity of Indigenous Australian languages? Think you understand Native Title? How have First Nations communities educated their children since before colonisation, and how are these methods being rediscovered? And which terminology is respectful and correct for which occasion, First Nations, Indigenous, or Aboriginal Australian? Realising true harmony between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian people and culture requires opening a space and raising a platform for First Nations peoples themselves. By taking the time to listen, you have already taken a very important step towards reconciliation.

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Time to Listen

(Part 2 of 2) The Uluru Statement from the Heart and a First Nations Voice - with Dean Parkin

August 31, 2021 • Cape York Partnership • Season 1 • Episode 12

"If this [the First Nations Voice] is something you believe in, and you feel a conviction for it and in your heart you want to this happen, then stand with us and help us bring more people along ... I am absolutely of the belief that when Australians from all walks of life take this up and walk with us as the Uluru Statement invited everybody to do ... we're going to make history together." - Dean Parkin

This week on the podcast, we are bringing to you the second part of our interview with Dean Parkin, the Director of the From the Heart campaign. From the Heart's mission is to see Australia realise the principles and propositions laid out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart — Voice, Treaty, Truth.

In this second part of our conversation, Dean demystifies the First Nations Voice; also known as the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. He explains at what point in the co-design process we find ourselves, and what the next steps are likely to be. We talk about the public submissions made to the Voice co-design process, and what they demanded of the Federal Parliament.

Dean explains why constitutional enshrinement of the First Nations Voice is vital, how it is consistent with the request made by government to the referendum council, and how it honours the wishes of First Nations people. We also talk about the prospect of bi-partisanship support during a potential referendum process.

We address the potential membership models for the First Nations Voice. Dean gives his opinion on how the First Nations Voice will practically address disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. He addresses the common rationale that drives rebuttal against the First Nations Voice. Finally, we conclude with Dean's opinion on how this profound reform opportunity will unite, not divide, Australian society.

Thank you for taking the time to listen.

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Have you listened to part 1 of this interview yet? You can find it here:
https://bit.ly/TTL-E11-Spotify (Spotify)
https://bit.ly/TTL-E11-Apple (Apple/iTunes)

To learn more about the From the Heart Campaign and the Uluru Statement from the Heart: fromtheheart.com.au

To read the public submissions made to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament co-design process: https://haveyoursay.voice.niaa.gov.au/submissions/list

To keep up to date on the progress of the First Nations Voice: https://voice.niaa.gov.au/#

Sources of audio snippets:

Noel Pearson (00.00.53)
Q&A Highlight: Declaration vs Constitutional Recognition | 15 June 2015
abcqanda (YouTube channel)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo9Sug2FXn4

Malcolm Turnbull (00.01.24)
PM Malcolm Turnbull on Q&A | 11 December 2017
abcqanda (YouTube channel)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VG6_aFhji0&t=1978s

Paul Keating (00.26.45, 00.35.19 and 00.40.58)
Prime Minister Paul Keating - Launch of International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples, 1993
National Archives of Australia (YouTube channel)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1S4F1euzTw

Noel Pearson (00.28.09)
Noel Pearson - Woodford Folk Festival 2017
Cape York Partnership (YouTube channel)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC3hMEl7Dlo&t=672s

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