“The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to the Australian people. I have seen people respond to that invitation. There is a sense that if we could do it 1967, then … we can do it this time. I think that more and more people are feeling connected to the cause.” – Dean Parkin
DURING THIS EPISODE OF THE TIME TO LISTEN PODCAST…
We speak to the Director of the From the Heart campaign — Dean Parkin. From the Heart’s mission is to see Australia realise the principles laid out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart — Voice, Treaty, Truth. Along with the Cape York Institute, Dean was an active participant in the formulation and design of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. He has since embarked on a campaign to bring about awareness of the Uluru Statement and its tenets. This included speaking at TedX in Canberra in 2018, presenting the Uluru Statement to a live audience.
We engage in this conversation with Dean for two fundamental purposes. Firstly, to illuminate the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Secondly, to demystify the First Nations Voice. The Uluru statement outlines ‘Voice’ as the first step toward harmony between First Nations people and other Australians.
This episode is the first of a two-part series. In this episode, Dean explains what the statement is, who was consulted in order for it to be formulated, and why it is unprecedented for its scale. He also gives an insightful take on how previous efforts for constitutional recognition have created a foundation of precedent and success beneath the Uluru Statement.
We then move on to the topic of the First Nations Voice. Dean explains what it is, and outlines what function it is likely to have if and when it is actualised. He also address the line of rebuttal commonly known as the ‘third chamber of parliament argument’, and why he thinks it is baseless and misguided.
Thank you for taking the time to listen.