MALLEE District Aboriginal Services has opted for a neutral position on the Voice to Parliament referendum.
Chief executive Darlene Thomas encouraged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Mallee to seek as much information as they could about the proposed Voice and to cast their vote on October 14.
“As an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, MDAS supports self-determination and understands that the referendum raises several complex issues for our community, and an approach that may be suitable for one person may be entirely unsuitable for another,” Ms Thomas said.
“MDAS is not interested in lobbying for a certain outcome but rather, our organisation is committed to supporting the wellbeing of our community and encouraging empowerment through knowledge.”
MDAS has announced Australian Electoral Commission information sessions, in Mildura and Swan Hill, during which its members, clients and Aboriginal and Torres Strait community will be provided with resources and detail regarding the referendum, with a focus on explaining the process and how to enrol to vote.
The session will also offer an opportunity for people to ask questions.
Ms Thomas hoped people across the region could embrace the diversity that made the Mallee strong and “engage in respectful debate”.
“At the end of the day, once the referendum has been conducted, regardless of the result, we will all need to walk together on the continued journey to ensure the Mallee and everyone who lives here, has a bright future,” she said.
“We can disagree on issues, but we should never do so at the expense of the person.
“It costs nothing to be kind.”
