There was a strong Greek contingent at the Inner West Council’s BBQ for the Voice to Parliament event in the Sydney suburb of Petersham on Saturday, February 18.
Despite the heat, attendees stood in Petersham Park and held signs in different languages, including Greek, calling for a Voice to Parliament for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
A Voice to Parliament for Australia’s Indigenous communities has been the subject of heated political debate in recent months with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promising to hold a referendum on the issue before December 2023.
Constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide advice to the Parliament on policies and projects that impact their lives.
Mr Albanese was in attendance at the Inner West Council BBQ and he called on political leaders not to miss the opportunity for reconciliation with Indigenous people by opposing the upcoming referendum campaign.
“I will reach out to any parliamentarian across the political spectrum. Because this should not be the subject of partisan debate. This should be the moment where we come together as a nation,” Mr Albanese said.
This speech drew loud applause from the crowd in attendance.
One Greek attendee, Inner West Councillor Zoi Tsardoulias, told The Greek Herald it was great to see everyone gathering in support of Indigenous Australians.
“It’s imperative as Greek Australians we support the upcoming referendum on the Voice to Parliament. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to achieve reconciliation,” Ms Tsardoulias said.
The Indigenous Voice to Parliament issue has gathered support from some members of the Greek community across Australia.
A statement endorsing the Voice was shared with The Greek Herald in January this year and among the signatories were over 250 Greek Australians from the education and arts sectors, as well as students and community activists.
