SYDNEY, December 3 2020 – Greenpeace has today committed to walk with First Nations people towards a better future as the first environmental organisation to publicly formally endorse the Uluru Statement from the Heart.Greenpeace has expressed wholehearted support for all reforms outlined in the Uluru Statement, which was created by more than 250 Indigenous delegates from around Australia at the First Nations Constitutional Convention at Uluru in 2017. The Statement calls for constitutional reform to empower First Nations people, including establishing a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Australian constitution.
“I’m delighted that the board of Greenpeace Australia Pacific has formally accepted the generous open invitation contained in the Uluru Statement of the Heart, to walk forward together as part of a movement of the Australian people for a better future,” said CEO David Ritter.
Mr Ritter, who is a former Indigenous rights lawyer, expressed his personal belief in the profound importance of the Uluru Statement.
“Time and again, Australia’s existing institutional arrangements have failed to deliver a fair go to First Nations’ peoples so the time has come to do things differently. The whole nation should be grateful for the hard work that was done to create the vision set out in the Uluru Statement – and excited about the great potential for our beautiful country.
“The Uluru Statement evinces both incredible generosity of spirit and offers a deeply practical pathway forward, for which Greenpeace expresses full support.
“Greenpeace’s mission to secure an earth capable of nurturing life in all of its magnificent diversity is fully consistent with the ambition and sentiment expressed in the Uluru Statement.
“Greenpeace joins with other organisations walking forward in calling for the full implementation of the two key reforms that are laid out in the Statement of the Heart – a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice to Parliament and a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making and truth-telling between First Nations’ Peoples and the government to forge a positive path forward.
“Greenpeace is pleased to add our voice to join the clamour of Australians calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to fully accept the recommendations of the Uluru Statement, to build a better future for the Australian people.”
“Truly, the time has come.”
Senior leaders from the Uluru Statement leadership welcomed Greenpeace’s endorsement of the Uluru Statement. In particular, Roy Ah See and Pat Anderson, co-chairs of the Uluru Dialogue and Professor Megan Davis from the ILC UNSW welcomed Greenpeace’s support for a constitutionally enshrined Voice to the Parliament.
Pat Anderson said “Having the support of Greenpeace and its supporters for this movement of the Australian people for a better future is invaluable as we continue our journey to a referendum”.
For more information please contact Head of Communications Nelli Stevenson on 0428 113 346 or email [email protected]