Cathy Freeman is the latest prominent Australian to announce her support of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
With less than a month to go before Australians vote on the formation of an Indigenous body to advise the Australian government, the famed former Olympian has thrown her support behind the ‘yes’ camp, in a video shared to social media.
“I can’t remember a time when change has felt so urgent, where momentum has been so strong. From small towns to big cities, something is in the air. I know all Australians feel it too,” Freeman urged.
“We have the chance to be part of a moment that brings people together, to work hard for something that we can all believe in.
“And right now, each of us can be part of something that really matters. To stand together and to show our support for Australians who need it the most.
“To recognise Indigenous peoples in our constitution for the very first time, to give our kids the very best start in life, an equal start in life. And to open our hearts and change our future.
“I‘m voting yes, and I am asking that all Australians do too. So please stand with me and write Yes on October 14.”
Freeman isn’t the only prominent figure to get vocal about her support for the cause.
Comedian Celeste Barber took to Instagram to announce her stance in the debate, writing, “I’ll be voting YES for a Voice to Parliament in the upcoming referendum.”
“The Voice will give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a say on the issues that affect their communities,” she added.
“More than 80% of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people support the Voice to Parliament.
“The idea came directly from Indigenous communities, not politicians.
“The current approach is not working.”
Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett has also been outspoken in her endorsement of the Voice. Appearing on ABC’s 7:30, she said the upcoming referendum is “an extraordinary time for an extraordinary country.”
“We have this incredible opportunity to embrace our unique history, shared history, you know, with all of its missteps and all of its successes, to actually evolve into a really modern democracy, like New Zealand, like Canada,” Cate said.
“It’s time we evolved to include all Australians … The more inclusive cultures are, the more vibrant they are.
“I’m hoping, in another 120 years’ time, we’ll look back at this moment and say, ‘Can you believe we almost missed that opportunity?'”
Indigenous basketballer Patty Mills has also rallied behind the Voice. Per ABC, in the lead up to the referendum, Mills urged the Australian public to consider the importance of this moment in the nation’s history.
“When you say importance, it’s because it’s [history of Indigenous Australians] affected us,” he said.
“You know my mum and my aunties and uncles had to deal with that,” he added.
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