Calwell MP Maria Vamvakinou used her address at Hume’s Australia Day citizenship ceremony to remind new community members of “how important” the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament will be.
Addressing a crowd of approximately 300 people, Ms Vamvakinou said she spoke on the referendum as a sign of her commitment to both informing and raising awareness of the Voice.
“I live in an electorate that is highly multicultural and very diverse [and] non English speaking – I can never assume that everyone is fully aware of what a referendum is, and what the importance of that referendum is,” she said.
“I’ve raised it as part of my campaign in giving people an opportunity to understand the importance of the Voice so that they can make an informed decision [as] many of them will have to vote.”
Ms Vamvkinou said she felt it was an appropriate time to raise the referendum.
“Australian citizenship days [are] very important in building our own sense of what an Australian is, and this is what my constituents are doing as well – they are not only lending their stories, but also developing a sense of what it is to be an Australian,” she said.
“We face today some challenges in terms of reconciling not only our history but also reconciling within that – the Australian identity of our Indigenous inheritance.
“It’s very important that people understand the processes, so that’s why I’ve raised it today.“
In the neighbouring electorate of Whittlesea, immigration and citizenship minister Andrew Giles also used the opportunity to encourage the 130 new citizens to embrace the opportunity to “think hard” about the reconciliation journey of the nation.
“I hope you will participate in the referendum and will consider the voices of first nations people,” he said.
Opposition immigration and citizenship spokesperson Dan Tehan said it was “disappointing to hear that Labor politicians have broken their own rules about citizenship ceremonies being apolitical events“.
“Citizenship ceremonies should be occasions to celebrate national unity and welcome new members to our community not for Labor to push their political agendas,“ he said.
“The Prime Minister needs to condemn this breach of the Citizenship Ceremonies Code and act to ensure future ceremonies are apolitical events.“
The Citizenship Ceremonies Code states “citizenship ceremonies must be non-commercial, apolitical, bipartisan and secular. They must not be used as forums for political, partisan or religious expression, for the distribution of political material or the sale of souvenirs.”
With the growing divide on the voice some are calling for more detail while others are demanding a treaty.
Ms Vamvkinou did not comment on whether discussions were being held in the party room about the conflicting concerns – but rather said she was focusing on raising awareness about the referendum as it currently stands.
“At this stage, we’re talking about the actual referendum itself and the Voice in the Constitution,” she said.
“I know others are talking about the other aspects as well, including treaty, but I think that this is very much about a voice and the referendum itself [and] that’s what I’ll be concentrating on.
“My message to constituents is to become aware as much as possible of what the discussion is, be involved, and start to share your views.”
Ms Vamvkinou said she expects her constituents will empathise with the call for a Voice.
“[New migrants] understand being outsiders so for them anything that involves inclusiveness – and in the case of our Indigenous Australians, reconciliation and rights will be something that they will understand, and I intend to help them through that process of understanding.
“Migration is a key component in this country’s nation building… and people that live here are part of that story, and I want them to be fully aware and involved in what is going to be a very important referendum.”
