The Law Society of New South Wales and NSW Young Lawyers have issued a joint statement calling for a referendum on the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart, issued in 2017 called for constitutional recognition, an Indigenous voice to parliament, and a formal truth telling process.
When the Statement was first released it was rejected by the Turnbull Government and the current Morrison Government is working on legislated options instead of constitutional enshrinement.
Yuin woman and Chief Executive Officer of the Law Society of New South Wales, Sonja Stewart says the independent professional body represents more than 43% of all lawyers in Australia – made up of more than 35,000 members – “it’s a big profession.”
She says the Law Society of NSW in conjunction with NSW Young Lawyers – the largest body of early career lawyers and law students in Australia, issued the joint statement in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart last week.
Speaking with Bumma Bippera Media, Stewart says she was proud to lead an organisation calling for the Uluru Statement to be implemented.
“A lot of organisations got behind our peoples and the Voice – the Statement from the Heart about Voice, Treaty, Truth, so, I’m really proud to be leading an organisation that has done that.”
President of the NSW Young Lawyers, Simon Bruck, said it is vital that the Uluru Statement from the Heart is seen as a living document, one that speaks to all Australians – not only during NAIDOC week – but on every day of the year.
“Implementation of the Uluru Statement will be the way to walk a different path with First Nations People and will assist in addressing the outstanding injustices which impact on the lives of First Nations People such as their over representation in the criminal justice system and the gap in life outcomes between First Nations people and other Australians,” Mr Bruck said.
“A Voice to Parliament will be an important step towards self-determination for First Nations People,” he said.
You can read the joint statement supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart here
