Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT (APO NT) have endorsed the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Voice to Parliament at their final meeting of 2022.
The NT Intervention was discriminatory and left a lasting hurt on Aboriginal people across the Northern Territory. In response, in 2010, APO NT was formed to give Aboriginal people, communities and organisations their voice back.
“Given APO NT’s history in advocating for Aboriginal people and their right to self-determination, we fully support a Constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament. We have been part of the journey for the Uluru Statement from the Heart since the very beginning and continue to advocate for strong measures that honour our rights on this land. We know that the Intervention would have never happened if we had had a Voice to Parliament,” said Dr John Paterson, Chief Executive Officer of Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT.
“It is vital that everyone respects the long history of Aboriginal people seeking to have a say on matters that impact them. Just think of everything that has come from the Territory- Gwalwa Dariniki Petition, the Yirrkala Bark Petitions, the Barunga Statement. We are proud of our history of fighting for our sovereignty and for self-determination. The Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Voice to Parliament are further steps along the road – to a better future for all,” said Joe Martin-Jard, Chief Executive Officer of Northern Land Council.
“As Senator Patrick Dodson has explained, the bar for passing a referendum is high and we need non-Indigenous people to join us. We believe that what we are seeking is simple, fair and just. We want due recognition in the founding document of the Australian nation. We cannot wait any longer, history is calling,” said Phillip Brown, acting Chief Executive Officer of North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency.