As part of Australia’s journey to Reconciliation, the nation is preparing for a referendum on whether an Indigenous Voice to Parliament should be enshrined in the Constitution.
Greenfleet’s work centres on three pillars: removing carbon, restoring nature, and advancing reconciliation in Australia. For us, our partnerships with local communities and First Nations peoples support broad benefits for the country and communities in which we live and work.
While our role is not one of direct political advocacy, we encourage our supporters to seek a thorough understanding around this issue in the lead up to the referendum. As an organisation, Greenfleet supports Indigenous, Constitutional Recognition via a Voice to Parliament as a unifying path towards Reconciliation.
What Is The Voice To Parliament?
The enshrinement of a Voice to Parliament is part of the recommendations made in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which was signed by over 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates in 2017.
After years of consultation with First Nations peoples, the Voice is a proposed change to Australia’s constitution that will give these communities a direct say in the policies that impact them.
The enshrinement of the Voice would result in the formation of an independent advisory body made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. While working alongside existing organisations and institutions, the Voice would give independent advice to the Parliament around matters relating to Australia’s First Nations peoples.
Greenfleet & Reconciliation
As an organisation, Greenfleet is enabling action on the ground through our work restoring native biodiverse forests.
We respect that we are working with, and learning from, the oldest continuous cultures and longest standing land managers on Earth. Greenfleet recognises that climate action aligns with reconciliation actions, and we will continue to listen and continue to learn as we work towards a better future.
Greenfleet CEO Wayne Wescott reflects, “First Nations Australians have played, and continue to play, a vital role in caring for Australia’s land. We know the outcomes of nature restoration can be stronger when Indigenous voices are heard.”
Some of the projects and elements of our work are undertaken with Traditional Owners. These include:
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Restoring 1,100 hectares of ex-pine plantation to native forest in the Noosa Hinterland with Kabi Kabi peoples, the Traditional Owners of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast region.
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Extending wildlife habitat and restoring native grasses that can be used for traditional practices with Traditional Owners in Central Victoria, the Dja Dja Wurrung people.
- Through our work, we know the importance of utilising indigenous plant species and are committed to working with Traditional Owners as we continue restoring native forests across the country.
Gurnai Kurnai man, Willie Pepper, Welcoming us to Boon Wurrung Country at a Greenfleet event in May 2023. Greenfleet staff and supporters were invited to partake in the Smoking Ceremony before planting trees on this land.
Greenfleet’s CEO, Wayne Wescott reflects that, “Greenfleet is determined to work closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over the coming years to play an effective role with them in enabling action on the ground.”
Greenfleet encourages our supporters to understand and acknowledge the role Indigenous Australians have played in caring for Country for over 65,000 years. By taking climate action with us, you are helping enable the restoration of Country.
Learning More About The Voice
By listening to Indigenous people, you can learn more about the shape of the Voice and what it will mean for Australia.
Below, we’ve included some key resources to help guide thinking around the Voice while keeping you up to date with the process as we head toward the Referendum:
Greenfleet’s focus is on growing hope for our environment, Country, and communities. We firmly believe that listening to Indigenous voices is an important step in restoring Australia’s ecosystems, which is why we support constitutional recognition via the Voice.
Together, we can grow hope.
