MILDURA Rural City Council says it will wait for formal advice before it decides whether to take a stand on the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum.
During public question time at this week’s regular monthly meeting, council was asked if would “affirm a Yes vote” for the referendum.
“Many councils have officially backed it,” the author wrote.
“Bendigo Council recently backed the “Yes” vote for the referendum. Please be on the right side of history on this question.”
Community care services manager Cheree Jukes said the Mildura Council had sought advice on the issue.
“On matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, MRCC received advice from council’s Ngiwa Yarna, or Aboriginal Advisory Committee, which has been advising council since it was developed in 2011,” Ms Jukes said.
“We are currently waiting for formal advice from the Ngiwa Yarna Committee which will inform council’s position in the future.”
Council’s Ngiwa Yarna Committee was established as a means to strengthen council’s relationships and engagement with the local Aboriginal community.
The committee aims to improve and enhance the wellbeing of the Aboriginal community in the Mildura municipality.
Committee membership consists of community members, Elders, representatives from key local Aboriginal organisations and committees and two councillors.
The Bendigo Council affirmed its support for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples through a Voice to Parliament at its June monthly meeting.
It committed to informing and sharing clear, unbiased information on the Voice to Parliament and all aspects of the referendum to ensure residents could make their own considered and informed choice on the day.
The council said supporting constitutional recognition and the 2023 referendum aligned with the city’s commitment to reconciliation. Its key strategic documents had set high expectations for the community and key partners around the city’s commitment to reconciliation and Aboriginal self-determination.
It said that not adopting a clear position on the Voice to Parliament would likely send a message of non-support to the local First Nations community and other local supporters of reconciliation.
“This may fracture local relationships with Traditional Owners and First Nations community members and also may cause reputation risk to council in the reconciliation space,” it said.
Last month, the Bendigo Council also agreed to move its Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony to a day earlier – to January 25.
