PRIME MINISTER Reference: MC17-096247 08 DEC 2017 Senator Richard Di Natale Leader of the Australian Greens Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 Senator Rachel Siewert Australian Greens Whip Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 Dear Senators ‘Thank you for your letter dated 13 November 2017 regarding the Government’s position on constitutional recognition. My Government remains committed to the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution, As I have noted before, this issue is a very important part of the reconciliation journey and can build on other practical measures in Indigenous affairs that serve to create a strong and more unified future for Australia. However, constitutional change is also a complex process. We acknowledge the significant work of the Referendum Council (the Couneil), particularly the historic process of the First Nations Regional Dialogues, I understand the process that ‘was undertaken and my Government considered this work carefully. As noted in our statement of 26 October 2017, the Government does not believe an amendment to the Constitution to provide for an Indigenous representative assembly is either desirable or capable of winning acceptance in a referendum Like you, I want to see progress and find a positive way forward on this important issue 's why my Government has agreed to establish a Joint Select Committee to progress the work of the Referendum Council, and has asked that it consider the work of previous inquiries including the 2012 Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians and the 2015 Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. My Government does not agree with the “take it or leave it” approach taken by the Council. We feel the extensive and valuable work done over the past ten years cannot be wholly disregarded. Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 “Telephone (02) 6277 7700 ‘www pm.gov auLam committed to working with our colleagues across the Parliament to ensure we have every chance for success in achieving constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is our duty to ensure the question at the ballot box is simple, easily understood and overwhelmingly welcomed by all Australians, We must find the maximum overlap between what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are seeking, what the Parliament will support, and what the Australian community will embrace. Yours sincerely MALCOLM TURNBULLRACHEL SIEWERT Australian Greens Whip Senator for Western Australia PO Box 6022 House of Representatives Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 13 November 2017 Dear Mr Turnbull Iwrite regarding your decision not to support the Referendum Council's key recommendation for a ‘Voice’ to Parliament, ‘The Australian Greens are deeply disappointed that the Government has rejected this landmark work out of hand, It is obvious from answers to questions in estimates that the Government did not seek to ascertain the level of support from the community for the concept of a 'Voice' to Parliament and in our opinion have misread the community response, Since your announcement it has in fact become evident there is likely to be a level of support for the concept with polling showing strong support for an Aboriginal ‘Voice’ to Parliament, We believe that with the right collaboration between the Parliament, Australia’s First Peoples and the community this proposal would get popular support, As you know, the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Referendum Council's recommendations were the result of a huge amount of work, commitment and consensus building, ‘The vast majority of Australians want to see progress and a positive way forward for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Although it may be a challenging process, itis up to us, as representatives in the Parliament to do this work and commit to building support for a ‘Voice’ to Parliament for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is not radical to recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should have a formalised role to consider legislation and policy that affects them. The Uluru Statement from the Heart ‘was unanimous - a strong, clear voice - and it should not be ignored. Ignoring the work and achievements of the Réferendum Council will be an enormous lost opportunity for this country, ‘To pre-empt failure of something that our First Peoples have been working so hard for, for so many years is a devastating blow. ‘The Referendum Council undertook extensive consultation and the result was clear and that was reflected in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Council's report. Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 | Phone: 02 6277 3587The Referendum Council's recommendation was unanimously supported by the First Nations’ delegates that met at Uluru, We need action on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recognition, in the form that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples support and Aboriginal and ‘Torres Strait Islander peoples were loud and clear in their view, The Australian Greens urge you to reconsider your position and to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Parliamentarians and the community to achieve constitutional reform to establish a 'Voice' for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Yours sincerely Senator Rachel Siewert Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues bed ©) AS) Senator Richard Di Natale Leader of the Australian Greens