Support for the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) Bill 2023
In April 2023 The Salvation Army provided a submission to the Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum.
The Salvation Army is a long-term supporter of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and sees the huge potential of the Voice to make a real difference to the hardship experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The submission called for the Parliament to pass the Bill without amendment. The Salvation Army supports the inclusion of the Voice in the Constitution, the constitutional power for the Voice to make representations to the Executive and the Parliament. The Salvation Army supports the inclusion of the Parliament’s power to make laws with respect to the Voice.
The Committee published their report, recommending that the Bill be passed.
Both chambers of Parliament passed the Bill, permitting the Referendum to go to the polls in late 2023.