Labor acknowledges the Governments announcement of a co-design process for a legislated First Nations voice to parliament.

We will engage with this process collaboratively, but bipartisanship or agreement across the Parliament cannot become a race to the bottom - it has to be ambitious and it has to listen to the community.

Labor embraces the Uluru Statement from the Heart wholeheartedly.

The Uluru Statement outlined the reasonable and modest desires of First Nations people for:

• a constitutionally enshrined First Nations voice to parliament;
• a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process for agreement-making; and
• A national process for truth-telling.

It is crucial that First Nations people have a say in the laws, policies and decisions that affect us. Labor remains committed to realising the desires of First Nations people as outlined by First Nations people in the Uluru Statement.

It is vital that First Nations people, views and wishes, are properly and comprehensively understood by this process. We acknowledge the appointment of Tom Calma and Marcia Langton to lead the senior advisory group, but we remain anxious as to the groups composition.

We also encourage all First Nations communities and leaders to participate and ensure that the diversity of views are heard and understood.

MEDIA RELEASE - WEDNESDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2019