Common Grace calls Christians to vote YES for Voice and First Nations Justice

Common Grace calls Christians to vote YES for Voice and First Nations Justice

Common Grace launched the national Listen to the Heart campaign today, calling Christians to vote yes in the referendum for a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders, Listen to the Heart invites Christians across Australia to deeply listen to the calls of Indigenous peoples for justice, through Voice, together with Treaty and Truth-Telling.

Common Grace National Director Gershon Nimbalker said the campaign will give Christians a chance to reflect on the significance of the Uluru Statement of the Heart and then act together for change.

“I’m convinced of the power that Christians have when they work together with God to pursue the goodness that He intends,” he said.

“Common Grace believes that as followers of Christ, we are called to love and respect our neighbours, to seek justice and righteousness, to repent and make amends for wrongdoing, and to work towards reconciliation and healing.

“A constitutionally enshrined First Nations voice to parliament would provide a formal mechanism for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to participate more fully in decision making processes that affect their lives and communities, ensuring their voices are heard.

“It’s a step towards better policy, towards addressing the harm and injustice that they have endured, and towards reconciliation.

“Constitutional change is hard in Australia – only 8 out of our 44 referendums have been successful. We know some parts of the Church are uncertain about this referendum, but we hear the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian leaders calling us to act and a successful YES vote is what the overwhelming majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples want.” 

Common Grace Relationships and Storytelling Coordinator, Safina Stewart, a proud Wuthithi and Mabuiag Island woman, said a Yes vote would renew faith in ourselves as a nation and in the repairing process of reconciliation. 

“The whole of Australia would be gifted when our First Peoples can give full expression to our cultural beauty and have justice and self-determination restored,” she said.

“Whenever we yarn about topics like Voice, treaties, or truth telling, we always come back to the topic of justice. This is because of the injustices that continue to wreak havoc in the daily lives and future of our people.

“We face much sorrow for our people, and much frustration at structures that inhibit the health, freedom and flourishing of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

“Yet, I’m always astounded by the resilience and faith of our Aboriginal Christian Leaders. They remind me of the impossibility of justice or restoration without relationship to Creator, the resurrecting power of Jesus, and guiding inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

“I would like to ask churches to pay special attention to the voices of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders who burn brightly for hope, justice and gritty grace.”

Common Grace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Coordinator, Gomeroi woman Bianca Manning said, “Jesus has heard the cries of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have been raising their voices for self-determination and justice for over 200 years. An Indigenous Voice to parliament, alongside Truth-Telling and Treaties, is an important step on this healing journey.”

The Listen to the Heart campaign will include wisdom from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders, church resources, online training, helpful conversation tips, guidance for meeting with parliamentarians, prayers and much more. Sign up to join Common Grace on the journey to Listen to the Heart in 2023 at www.listentotheheart.org.au

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3 thoughts on “Common Grace calls Christians to vote YES for Voice and First Nations Justice”

  1. I recently read much of the Australian Constitution which seemed mainly to do with the relationship of the states and the Commonwealth. I don’t know why the VOICE has to be in it. It’s not about rights (like the US). It is for all the people of Australia. According to our constitution Aboriginals have a VOICE they can exercise. I am not arguing for yes or no. Just trying to understand. There needs to be reconciliation and forgiveness. There is hurt but white people including UCA have done a lot of good got the Aboriginal people. Past paternalism needs to be judged against the past and not modern standards of cross/ cultural understanding. I don’t want the Voice to either pass or fail for the wrong reasons. Please say something good about our white people. I feel that Aboriginals hate us (eg Australia Day protests). I want to read/hear balanced respectful discussion instead of politics. What is a Christian response for all of us?
    I care about the aim of the VOICE but want to see it put into practice among indigenous communities. I want to see it working and not just expecting the government to fix it. Aboriginal people need to exercise the voice they have. They have often in my experience known better than governments and churches who haven’t always listened. I don’t want our country divided. What will come after the voice? More activists and waste and still communities will suffer. My mind is still open but I want more information and understanding. One Aboriginal politician wants sovereignty. I want one Australia that isn’t divided by race:

    1. Nicely written.

      I’ve recently listened to a gentleman who has read the full 500 page document and given his opinion on it.
      Apart from being a poorly put together proposal, it raised soo many questions that would leave us open to many different issues including our First Nations people being a sovereign nation apart from the rest of us and the possibility of reparations!
      This is such a can of worms and our “politicians” do not seem to be aware of the potential consequences.

    2. Without The Voice, nothing changes. The gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous statistics on health, incarceration, and so much more can only remain the same. The Voice requires Indigenous peoples to be consulted on matters that impact them. That, surely, is the only way to break this impasse we have reached on Indigenous matters.
      The Voice cannot bring division. It does not divide by race, but it is obvious some feel that they are being divided. The Statement From the Heart makes no suggestion of anything beyond a Voice and the Referendum proposal leaves no room for the introduction of ‘trojan horses’ in the writing. They simply want to have their opinions taken into consideration. Currently no government is obliged to listen and many Indigenous representative bodies have been dismissed by various governments. With a No vote, that will continue. Don’t pay attention to fear, but to hope.
      Currently many bodies openly have access to politicians in Parliament House – they are from mining, farming, industry, medicine, Australian Christian Lobby (rather right wing) and so on. The Voice is not so different. It simply provides the obligation to consult.

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