SENATOR ANNE URQUHART

Senator for Tasmania

Chief Government Whip in the Senate

MEDIA RELEASE

Online Town Hall “Understanding the Voice” a huge success

Anne Urquhart, Senator for Tasmania, has hailed the first online town hall meeting to discuss the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament a huge success.

Approximately 400 people participated in the hour-long meeting which used a combination of interactive technologies to allow participants to express their attitudes and ask questions regarding the Voice and the referendum.

Senator Urquhart was joined by Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians, as well as Thomas Mayo, a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. Mayo is the author of the book Finding the Heart of the Nation – the Journey of the Uluru Statement towards Voice, Treaty and Truth.

The meeting kick starts an information campaign on the upcoming referendum to ensure that all Tasmanians are armed with the information they need to vote on the Voice.

A recording of the meeting can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/i0cfJ4VR2uo

Quotes attributable to Anne Urquhart, Senator for Tasmania:

“It was very exciting to kick off the week of action with Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and Thomas Mayo to discuss and learn about the Indigenous Voice to parliament.

“We wanted to ensure the focus was on what the Voice is, what it is not, and why it matters so Tasmanians have clear information in the lead up to the referendum.

“To understand why an Aboriginal at Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament matters, it is vital that we have these community conversations in town halls, online and around our kitchen tables.

“We know we need to do things differently to close the gap that sees so many aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians unable to reach their full potential. That’s why we need the Voice to Parliament. 

“I support the Voice. I firmly believe that by listening to the experiences and concerns of our Indigenous people, we will achieve better outcomes when it comes to government policy and action. It’s about taking Australia forward together.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Susan Wallace 0418 372 198