Yiorgos Konstandinomanolakis shares why he’s voting ‘YES’ for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament

·

In an opinion piece for The Greek Herald, Yiorgos Konstandinomanolakis shares his thoughts on the Indigenous Voice to Federal Parliament and the upcoming referendum on October 14.

***

I came to Australia many years ago but I have never lost my Greek identity. I am proud of my Greek heritage and I am proud of this country. I have worked hard and Australia has been good to me. I am sure that my children and my grandchildren and each generation that follows will have better lives.

Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about Indigenous Australians who were here many thousands of years before any of us arrived.

It has not always been easy for me and for many migrants. I know what it is like to experience prejudice and to face barriers because of my nationality.

But I was never told by the Government where I could live, or who I could marry. Nobody stopped me from owning a business or buying land or even going to the local swimming pool or the cinema because of my race or skin colour.

And nobody took my children from me and sent them out to work for strangers where they were often abused.

This is what happened to Indigenous people for many, many years, and it was still happening during my lifetime and yours. The damage this caused is the main reason why many Indigenous people have poor health, education and employment levels.

Governments alone cannot fix this problem. They need to have Indigenous people involved in creating programs and services that work best for them. Indigenous people living in their own communities know what works.

In the past there have been advisory committees that have been able to give the right advice to governments and things began to improve.

But each time a government with a different political viewpoint came to power the committees were abandoned and things went back to the way they were before for Indigenous people.

We need to change this situation and we can.

What Indigenous people are asking for now, and what we will vote for at the Referendum on October 14, is very simple.

First: the right to be recognised in the Australian Constitution as the First people of Australia. This is a fact. They are the first Australians.

Second: an Advisory Committee (a Voice) to be created that cannot be removed by different governments because of their political agendas. This committee is not going to affect me in my daily life. It doesn’t have power to make laws or increase taxes or anything else. But it can offer clear advice to government when it makes decisions about programs to improve the lives of Indigenous people and their children’s futures. That is all it is.

All the other things we are hearing are rumours to confuse us and to make us afraid. 

This referendum should not be about politics – it should be about human decency and the right for each of us to live a healthy productive life.

For me it is very clear. I want my country to be better – not just for my children and grandchildren – but for everyone’s. That is why I am voting yes on October 14. We can and we must do better.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Democracy on the big screen: Youth shine at the 13th Greek Student Film Festival

13th Greek Student Film Festival - staged within Sydney's 30th Greek Film Festival - filled the cinema with laughter and plenty of Greek.

Panayiota Dimopoulos’ OXI Day artwork takes pride of place on The Greek Herald cover

Panayiota Dimopoulos from Oakleigh Grammar designed The Greek Herald’s OXI Day cover, capturing the shared history of Greece and Australia.

Greek and Cypriot leaders honour OXI Day with messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora

Greek and Cypriot politicians and diplomats have issued messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora ahead of the OXI Day celebrations.

Greek Film Festival wraps 30th year with a triumphant Sydney finale

The curtain fell on the 30th Greek Film Festival in Sydney on Sunday night with a sold-out screening of Athens Midnight Radio.

Pan Macedonian Federation of SA launches the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival

On Friday, October 24, the Pan Macedonian Federation of South Australia officially launched the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival.

You May Also Like

Federal MP Alex Hawke avoids expulsion from NSW Liberals

Federal MP Alex Hawke survived an expulsion motion put forward by the NSW Liberals last week. Read more here.

Art Connect South Gippsland: Celebrating art and community

Art Connect South Gippsland is an arts advocacy group, serving as a platform to celebrate, encourage, and champion art in regional Victoria.

Zaroury hat trick fires Panathinaikos to emphatic Europa League win

Panathinaikos got off to a flying start in the Europa League group stage with a 4-1 away win over Young Boys in Bern on Thursday night.