Thursday6 April 2023

Why I am voting “yes” in the referendum: Bishop Daniel Abot

Justice & Advocacy

“We are a democratic country and the only way that our policy makers can hear people is if their voice is heard. This is the only way that positive change, including closing the gap, can happen…The Voice is an invitation to all Australians to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples so they can improve the quality of life for their families and wider communities,” says Bishop Daniel Abot

Bishop Daniel Abot

Thursday 6 April 2023

Thursday 6 April 2023

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I first heard about closing the health and life expectancy gap of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples soon after I arrived in Australia 20 years ago. At the time I was working for Anglicare Southern Queensland. Because I came from a refugee camp to regional Australia, the closing the gap initiative is something that really resonated with me.

In Kakuma Refugee Camp, where I was a refugee for nine years, I witnessed large groups of people being chronically unwell. When people are unwell for long periods of time without adequate services, lives get lost. People die younger than they should. Life expectancy becomes short.

In some areas of our country, including with regard to healthcare, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are unable to access appropriate medical care. Access to appropriate medical care includes the care being culturally appropriate and tailored for their special epidemiological needs. Healthy people live longer. Good health allows people to thrive and contribute to their communities. We all want to see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples thriving.

The current way of doing things can be done better. We are a democratic country and the only way that our policy makers can hear people is if their voice is heard. This is the only way that positive change, including closing the gap, can happen. This is one of the main reasons why I support the Voice to Parliament. The Voice is an invitation to all Australians to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples so they can improve the quality of life for their families and wider communities.

Editor’s note: The Anglican Church Southern Queensland supports the Anglican Board of Mission’s 2017 call for “a Constitutionally Entrenched First Nations Voice”. The ACSQ also supports the Anglican Church of Australia’s Joint Affirmation of Faith and Justice with First Nations Peoples (carried by affirmation at General Synod, Oct 2007), and seeks practical ways to do so, including our association with Reconciliation Australia and the prescribed process of Reconciliation Action Plans.

Editor’s note: 21/07/2023: This anglican focus feature, written by The Ven. Geoff Hoyte, The Rev’d Michael Stalley and The Rev’d Rick Gummow, provides a timeline showing how the ACSQ came to its position on recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution through a Voice to Parliament.