It was a full house at Fremantle Arts Centre where over 100 people gathered for the sold out One Year On from the Voice to Parliament panel discussion curated by Garlett Group.
Held during NAIDOC Week in the Wardong Gallery surrounded by artworks from emerging Aboriginal West Australian artists, it was the perfect setting to discuss were to from here post referendum.
The 2023 Voice to Parliament Referendum marked a significant time in Australian history when the nation determined they did not want to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a Voice to Parliament.
Since this pivotal moment there have been social and cultural implications from the ‘No’ vote.
Moderated by Emma Garlett, panellists included Carol Innes AM, Sophie Coffin, Jade Dolman and Tyson McEwan.
Guests were welcomed to country by cultural custodian Ingrid Cumming.
The panel highlighted the grief experienced, the truth-telling and action needed to continue the journey of reconciliation and achieve outcomes for First Nations people in Australia.
Tyson McEwan spoke what the failure of the Voice to Parliament meant to him.
“The failure of the Voice has kept the status quo, and the system of government continues to grind. The same issues arise, and it is important to mention that these ‘issues’ become political footballs to be booted by politicians.” He said.
“To that extent, issues experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities remain on a 4-year cycle with no medium to long term commitment. These issues require long term commitment…”
“I suggest truth commissions to peel the layers off our history of Australia” he said.
Jade Dolman spoke about her experience in the art industry after the Voice and highlighted the importance of choosing who you work with and how working or not working with certain people or organisations is a statement.
“You are defined by the jobs you say no to” she said.
Highlighting the importance of the power you have in your work and how her approach to working has changed after the Voice to Parliament.
Coffin mentioned that she found it hard to look at people after the Voice, outlining that knowing that they voted ‘no’ was a very challenging and hurtful time.
Carol Innes stated how we need to move forward as a nation, together, and continue to walk together.
“Our Elders have been through much worse, this is a small dent for us” she said.