A Yes vote will be a hugely important and positive step. The Voice to Parliament will have symbolic power — to recognise the original people of his land, the oldest continuing culture on Earth. And practical significance — to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people more control over their own lives and destinies.
It is the first step in seeing through the importance recommendations of the Uluṟu Statement from the Heart — a statement unaligned to any political party.
A Yes vote will be a positive move for all of Australia — a way we can all step into the future with pride.
I have seen first-hand how music and song has been used so powerfully by Aboriginal people to tell stories, challenge imaginations, to speak truth and to tell all Australians about our history.
Let's see such a voice enshrined in parliament.
- Toby Martin
Musician, Historian, and Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Music Practice
Sydney Conservatorium of Music