Australia is a wonderful country. When we look at our achievements over the years, we rightly feel proud of the nation we’ve built here.   

The eight hour work day. The minimum wage. Healthcare to all through Medicare. Opening up Australia to multiculturalism. 

All of these changes seemed new and even risky at the time. Many people were hesitant, wondering what they would mean and where they would lead.

Yet each helped create a fairer, more prosperous, more inclusive Australia.

This year’s referendum offers us a similar opportunity.

When we go to vote on October 14, we will be deciding on two important changes to Australia’s Constitution. 

The first is to recognise Indigenous Australians as the original inhabitants of this land.  

The second is to establish a committee that will give advice to parliament on issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. This elected body will be called the ‘Voice’. 

I’m voting Yes to these changes because they will make a real and practical difference.

We’ve done many things well in this country, but there are still areas we can improve and do better on.

We need to get the cost of living down. We need to build more housing for our kids.

And we also need to open up more opportunities for young Indigenous Australians.

Indigenous Australians are still being left behind, with a lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality rates, and less opportunities at school and work. 

If we want to change these outcomes, we need to change the way we operate.

The idea for a Voice came from Indigenous people, based on a simple premise: that if we listen to communities on the issues that affect them, we will deliver better results.

This seems like good common sense to me. And more than that, we know it works.   

When we involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people in decision making, we get better outcomes. 

That means better health and aged care, reduced crime, training people for jobs, and giving local kids more opportunities and hope. 

That is what the Voice will do, by advising parliament on issues like housing, healthcare, education, and employment. 

I know there are some out there who will agree with these points, but still feel unsure about committing to these changes.

And I know that there is other misinformation hanging around the referendum that is holding people back from saying yes. 

But to be absolutely clear: the Voice will never hold legal powers over parliament. The elected federal parliament will always have the full and final say over all decisions.

The Voice is simply there to give advice, so we can make better decisions, produce better results, and deliver value for money. 

The alternative is closing door to the next generation of Indigenous Australians by sticking with a system that isn’t working.  

That’s why I’m voting yes on October 14.

ENDS