Religious leaders
unite for Voice Referendum
Religious leaders urge politicians to work together across party divides to achieve a constitutionally guaranteed First Nations Voice.
February 22, 2023
The Uniting Church has joined a coalition of faith organisations calling on all Federal parliamentarians to co-operate across political divides in support of the upcoming Voice referendum.
Signed by UCA President Rev Sharon Hollis, the letter describes the Voice as “an invitation to move towards national healing, unity and reconciliation”.
“As leaders of Australia’s major religious and ethno-religious organisations, we call on Australia’s political leaders and all federal parliamentarians to support the Voice, called for by First Nations Australians through the Uluru Statement from the Heart."
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
The alliance of nine national organisations represents diverse Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish communities, which have come together to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Their letter builds on the joint resolution released by the group in May last year, which urged bipartisan action on the Voice referendum.
The letter reads, "We call on parliamentarians to find ways to collaborate constructively across political divides to achieve the modest constitutional recognition First Nations people seek: a constitutionally guaranteed Voice in their own affairs."
"The Voice is an invitation to move towards national healing, unity and reconciliation. It seeks to formalise in our Constitution a way by which First Nations’ voices and concerns can be heard, and to establish a means for overcoming the devastating effects of social exclusion."
"This is an opportunity to unite Australians around a proposal that seeks to make life better for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people."

Religious leaders sign a historic Joint Resolution in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in May last year.
The joint letter was sent on Wednesday morning as part of a ‘week of action’ in support of the Yes campaign for the referendum. It urges parliamentarians to to find ways to collaborate constructively across political divides to achieve the modest constitutional recognition First Nations people seek.
"Whatever our disagreements, let us work together to resolve them. The Voice referendum deserves cross-party co-operation," the letter reads.
"Future generations of Australians will not forgive us if we fail to grasp the historical moment, and ‘advance Australia’ further along the path of justice."
The letter reflects growing multifaith and multicultural support for the referendum. Indigenous film-maker Rachel Perkins, who launched the joint resolution last year, said “This is an alliance of great spiritual power, speaking persuasively to political power, and asking politicians to co-operate across political divides to achieve Indigenous recognition, for the good of my people and the country as a whole.”
Related news
Rev Don Pederick: An extraordinary life and ministry
Rev Don Pederick: An extraordinary life and ministry A faithful servant of the Uniting Church, Rev Don Pederick recently celebrated a milestone birthday and another year of dedicated ministry. We take a moment to honour himThe Uniting Church in Australia has been shaped and sustained by the quiet, steady faithfulness of people like the Rev…
Following Footsteps, Bringing Hope
Following Footsteps, Bringing Hope Earlier this month, our outback ministry agency Frontier Services commissioned Pastor Kirsty Burgu as its newest Bush Chaplain to stand with those living in the remote West Kimberley region of Western Australia In the West Kimberley, where ancient and biologically rich landscapes stretch wide beneath an endless sky, a new…
Paul Minty named full-time EO to National Commission
Paul Minty appointed as full-time Executive Officer to National Commission for Governance, Resourcing and Administration Dr Paul Minty brings to the role a unique blend of technical expertise, leadership experience and ministry engagement Subscribe to our newsletter If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then…
Welcoming First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance
UCA, UAICC and UnitingCare Australia welcome First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance The announcement was made this morning by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a speech at the Garma Festival in Gulkula Uniting Church, Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and UnitingCare Australia welcome First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance as a step toward shared prosperity…
Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2025
Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2025NAIDOC Week 2025 marks 50 years of honouring Indigenous voices, culture and resilience. The Uniting Church, together with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), celebrates this milestone and the enduring strength of First Nations peoples. NAIDOC Week has grown into an annual event of hope, truth-telling and a powerful declaration…
Planting Hope: Vision, Volunteers and a Community Revitalised
Planting Hope: Vision, Volunteers and a Community Revitalised A 20-year dream has been fulfilled in the outback terrain of South Australia, bringing the hope of Jesus to a remote communityBy Rob Floyd, National Director of Frontier ServicesIt isn’t often that you embark on an epic journey, through vast expanses of desert, to witness the birth…
Yarta Wandatha: The land is speaking
Yarta Wandatha: the land is speaking, the people are speaking Walking with Elders, learning from their ancient wisdom and wrestling with the lessons that creation – ‘God’s oldest voice’ – has to teach us todayThis article was first published in VOX, the bulletin of the University of Divinity. It is republished with permission. By Dr…
Welcome to Country: an ancient, sacred ritual
Welcome to Country: a sacred ritual inviting us all into deeper relationship with this ancient land Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has written a response after two deeply hurtful events related to Welcome to Country ceremonies on Friday sparked painful debate about the place of the custom in public life Rev Charissa Suli, President…