BYS STATEMENT – VOICE TO PARLIAMENT
Message from our President Mark Wheatley and CEO Pam Barker
At BYS, we are proud to support the Voice to Parliament.
Since 1977, Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) has worked to create new futures for homeless and at-risk young people (aged 12-25 years) and their children. We meet young people at a crucial time of great need, but also great opportunity for early intervention to provide critical wraparound supports.
Almost a third of young people supported by BYS identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. On 14 October 2023, a referendum to enshrine a Voice for First Nations Peoples in the Australian Constitution will be held.
The referendum will be conducted to propose a law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to advise the Parliament on policies and projects that impact their lives.
As a Reconciliation Australia partner on our second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, BYS supports the Voice to Parliament to give Indigenous communities the opportunity to help inform policy and legal decisions that impact their lives.
We will continue to provide information to young people and help them learn more about the referendum, so they can make their own informed decisions.
Additionally, our aim is to work with young people in Brisbane to register to vote and have their voices heard with their vote.
Questions and comments regarding this statement can be made through board@brisyouth.org.
ENDS
Brisbane Youth Service Media Contact:
Emily Nunes
P: 0481 558 783
E: enunes@brisyouth.org