North Melbourne’s Board of Directors, CEO and senior leaders released their position in favour of the Voice to Parliament in May 2023 following extensive consultation with First Nations players past and present and club staff. It can be found below, along with links to the key documents that informed their thinking.
Whether you’re a yes, a no, or an undecided in the upcoming Referendum on the Voice to Parliament, please take the time to be informed by trusted sources before having your say on Saturday.
Australia faces a momentous decision later this year to change the Australian Constitution through a referendum.
Success in this process will give a voice to First Nations peoples. It will see First Nations peoples engaged to advise the government on issues and decisions that impact their lives.
The club’s Board of Directors, CEO and senior leaders support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum. It’s a position based on recognition, dignity and the opportunity to address discrimination.
Our club leaders hold the view that representation of First Nations peoples is fundamentally important to our country. Their voice is a missing piece in the governance structure of our nation.
First Nations peoples hold a proud place in the North Melbourne Football Club’s past and present.
The club has played football on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation for 154 years and many other traditional lands as we’ve travelled around the country. Thirty-one First Nations players have contributed to our rich and spirited history.
North Melbourne encourages every Australian to take time to listen, learn and understand. As a club we are taking the opportunity to provide education and resources to our staff and players to help them make their own informed decisions.
North Melbourne, like our country, is on a learning journey. We can’t change our past, but we have an opportunity to change our future and progress.
Educational resources:
https://www.reconciliation.org.au/support-a-voice-to-parliament/
