The Solaris Cancer Care Board has discussed the upcoming referendum to change the Constitution of Australia to create a First Nations Voice to Parliament.
The discussion noted that First Nations people and communities experience cancer at higher rates than the general population. Solaris Cancer Care wishes to see that gap closed and the Board believes that the views of First Nations people are key to closing the health gap.
Solaris Cancer Care has decided to support the referendum and encourages people to vote yes to recognising First Nations people in the Constitution and enshrining a Voice mechanism allowing their views to be heard on any legislation that impacts First Nations people.
We note that many organisations in the community have also declared support for the yes case in the referendum and that Solaris joins ones such as:
- Cancer Council WA
- Australian Medical Association
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
- Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
- Australian Physiotherapy Association
- Australian Association of Social Workers
- Australian Psychological Society
- Beyond Blue
- Australian Football League
- Cricket Australia
- Tennis Australia
- Rio Tinto
- Wesfarmers
- Anglican Church
- Uniting Church
- And many more.
While the Board supports a Voice to Parliament, it is important to acknowledge that others will have alternate views and we respect those views.
We encourage our staff, volunteers, and supporters to arrive at their own educated and informed position ahead of the referendum and have provided some resource links below to assist in the sharing of knowledge on this topic.
