The University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) supports ‘yes, but...’ in the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum on 14 October.

Yes is the first step to recognise a Constitutional right for First Nations Peoples to a permanent platform in policy making and legislation. But this is only the first step: we must support truth-telling and treaty.

UMSU acknowledges that this is stolen land, and sovereignty was never ceded. We respect that there are many views and many voices. We believe that voting yes is the next step to recognise the rights of First Nations Peoples and communities, but, yes, we need to do more.

Vote yes to make a difference, but let’s keep going.

Regards,

UMSU President

Hiba Adam