Greek-Australians and the Voice to Parliament

"The Voice to Parliament is about narrowing the gap that is widening with our First Nations." 

— Mark Coure Liberal MP

In a bid to encourage informed debate on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, the Greek-Australian Society (GAS) organized an enlightening online panel discussion titled 'Greek-Australians and the Voice to Parliament.' The virtual event attracted a diverse array of voices and perspectives.

The panel included key figures such as Mark Coure MP, the NSW Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism; Dr Shireen Morris, Senior Lecturer at Macquarie Law School; Peter Doukas OAM, Chair of the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW; and Ken Zulumovski, Founder of Gamarada Universal Indigenous Resources. The discussion was moderated by GAS President, Ellie Stamatelatos.

Dr Shireen Morris, fresh from her engagements in the interstate Voice initiatives, and Ken Zulumovski, connecting from Port Lincoln in South Australia, enriched the dialogue with their unique perspectives. Approximately 50 community and student leaders joined the panel, along with GAS members from Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

The primary aim of GAS's panel was to foster a robust conversation about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, encouraging participants to set aside personal biases and engage with individuals from diverse political backgrounds and life experiences. The goal was to equip attendees with the information needed to make an informed decision on October 14.

During the panel discussion, Mr Coure emphasized his role in multiculturalism and shared insights from his engagements with constituents and communities. He clarified that the Voice would not act as a veto, nor would it constitute a third chamber of government, and stressed its purpose of bridging the widening gap with Australia's First Nations.

Dr Shireen Morris referenced the federal Productivity Commission's July 2023 "Closing the Gap" report, which highlighted mixed results. She made a compelling case for Indigenous Australians' constitutional recognition through the Voice, underscoring that top-down approaches had failed to address the persistent gap.

Peter Doukas OAM pointed out the reluctance of many Greek Australians and other "established" communities to publicly engage in the debate. He stressed the historical significance of this moment in Australia's history, marking the final piece in the building blocks of the Federation.

GAS's virtual panel served as a catalyst for dialogue, promoting a deeper understanding of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament and its implications. As the referendum date approaches, informed and inclusive conversations like these become increasingly vital for our community.