Let’s keep walking together and say YES

JUST a little over a week ago, hundreds of people walked side by side in Wonthaggi for YES.

Bunurong woman Jillian West spoke from the heart about our chance to create a better future for all - including for her baby grandson.

I’ve spoken to people from Wonthaggi to Sale about the referendum.

It’s clear Victorians want Indigenous Australians to have the same chances as everyone else.

They want to close the eight-year gap in life expectancy, and ensure Indigenous children are not left behind in health and education.

But some Victorians still want to know how saying YES will change things for the better.

If I had to summarise this referendum in one word, it would be listening.

Listening to Indigenous people on the policies that affect them.

Because when governments listen, they make better decisions, get better results and deliver better value for money.

For too long, well-meaning governments have spent time and money on things that just haven’t worked.

It makes sense for Indigenous people to come together to advise us on what will work.

That’s what this referendum is about – forming an advisory committee of Indigenous Australians to be known as the Voice.

YES simply means being ready to listen. And from listening, we’ll get better results.

Ours is already a great country, and we have a historic opportunity to make it even better. 

That’s why I’ll be voting YES on October 14, and I hope you’ll join me.
 

Senator Jess Walsh, Australian Labor Party