Last sitting week, I proudly introduced the following motion in support of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice into the Victorian Legislative Council:

That this house –

• Acknowledges that the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the First Peoples of Australia in the Australian Constitution is long overdue.

• Recognises that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Voice is fundamentally about achieving better outcomes for First Peoples by giving them a say in the decisions that affect their lives.

• Notes the transformative and nation-leading work of the Andrews Labor Government as the only jurisdiction in Australia that has taken action on all three elements of the Uluru Statement from Heart: Voice, Treaty and Truth.

• Notes the vital work of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria as the Voice of First Nations people in Victoria on Treaty.

Over the coming weeks, this motion will be debated in the Legislative Council. As more information becomes available, I encourage the communities of the Northern Metropolitan Region to contact me and my office by calling 03 7008 6588 or by emailing [email protected] with any questions, queries or issues.