North Coast Greens MP, Jan Barham, has welcomed NSW Upper House support for her motion recognising the 40th anniversary of the Aquarius Festival in Nimbin.

“The Aquarius Festival was not only an historic event; it was transformative for the Far North of New South Wales,” Ms Barham said.

“The Aquarius Festival brought new people and innovative thinking to the region and contributed to defining the area known to many as the Rainbow Region. Over the last 40 years, the North Coast has been at the forefront of many important issues such Aboriginal respect and reconciliation, biodiversity protection and sustainable architecture.”

“In a moment of harmony and youthful joy that we don’t often see on Macquarie Street, my colleagues in the Legislative Council congratulated the Aquarians and recognised the unique and vibrant culture of the North Coast,” Ms Barham said.

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0407 065 061

Motion on Aquarius Festival, passed by NSW Legislative Council 22nd May 2013:

1. That this House notes that:
 (a) May 12 – 23 marks the 40th anniversary of the Aquarius Festival in Nimbin NSW,
 (b) the festival’s organisers planned more than just the fourth Australian Union of Students music festival – they planned a festival of alternative thinking and sustainable living, in a valley where festival goers could stay on and live out their ideals and aspirations,
 (c) the Bundjalung Elders gave their permission and support to holding the festival on their lands, building a respectful connection with traditional owners that has continued to this day,
 (d) the Nimbin Valley and surrounding areas welcomed the boost that the festival offered the region, with traditional industries in a state of decline,
 (e) soon after the Aquarius Festival, Nimbin became identified as a centre for counter-culture and the environmental and sustainable lifestyle movement in Australia,
 (f) the new settlers in the Nimbin community experienced adversities and learned about living on the land with support from local farmers and existing residents,
 (g) from Nimbin the counter-culture revolution reached out locally so that the Far Northern regions of NSW have become known for their innovative and sustainable technologies, ideas and models of community living, and
 (h) the Aquarians and those who were inspired to the area have made diverse contributions including:
  (i) initiating ecological protection of old growth forests and North Coast biodiversity,
  (ii) developing alternative energy systems,
  (iii) establishing sustainable food production practices and promoting healthy lifestyles,
  (iv) promoting innovative architecture in intentional communities,
  (v) encouraging cultural diversity including music, craft and arts,
  (vi) engaging in political activism, and the production of community media including newspapers and radio,
  (vii) supporting alternative economic models, including Local Economic Trading Systems (LETS) and community markets.

2. That this House congratulates the Aquarians and those who have contributed to and maintained a unique and vibrant cultural community in northern NSW for the past 40 years.

The Greens have welcomed the NSW Legislative Council’s support today for a call to reverse the Commonwealth’s cuts to single parent payments.

“The NSW Upper House’s passage of this motion recognises the harmful effects of moving single parents from Parenting Payment to Newstart when their youngest child turns eight. I’m heartened that state Labor and Coalition MPs gave support to such an important community issue,” said Jan Barham, NSW Greens spokesperson on family and community services.

“The change to parenting payments has provoked widespread concern, with the Commonwealth’s own human rights committee, the UN Special Rapporteur and many social service organisations questioning its impacts. I welcome the parliamentary backing to support parents and families.

“Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has led the effort to undo these damaging changes. I hope the Federal Government takes on board this message from the NSW Parliament and takes urgent action to correct these wrongs,” Ms Barham said.

“I am pleased the NSW Legislative Council has supported this important motion,” Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on families and community services said today.

“The message from around the country and internationally is that the Government’s treatment of single parents, is neither acceptable nor appropriate. That is becoming clearer and clearer, and the Government should start listening.

“The Federal Government should take action in next week’s budget to help single parents, rather than just making things harder for them. The Greens have costed measures on the table to do this.

“We have Bills in the Parliament to increase Newstart by $50 per week and provide an additional supplement payment of $40 per week for single parents on the payment.

“By fixing the mining tax, the Government can make sure our economy supports single parents so they can raise their kids in a secure environment,” Senator Siewert concluded.

Media Enquiries:
Jan Barham – directly on 0407 065 061, or David Mallard on 0432 881 448
Senator Rachel Siewert – Chris Redman on 0418 401 180

Motion on parenting payments, passed by NSW Legislative Council 9th May 2013:

1. That this House notes that:

(a) from 1 January 2013 Commonwealth legislation altered parenting payments, affecting more than 80,000 single parent families who will be transferred from Parenting Payment to Newstart when their youngest child turns eight,

(b) this change places many single parent families at greater risk of poverty and threatens the welfare and wellbeing of affected children, and

(c) concern about this change has been expressed by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and numerous social service organisations.

2. That this House calls on the Commonwealth Government to reverse the cuts made to single parent payments, and ensure single parents receive adequate support to care for their children.

A parliamentary inquiry into the value and impacts of tourism for local across NSW is welcome and long overdue, says Jan Barham, Greens MP and spokesperson on Tourism.

“I have long believed that a thorough tourism inquiry is necessary to develop a clear understanding about the benefits and impacts of tourism across the state. This Parliamentary inquiry will provide communities, councils and businesses with the opportunity to present their views and ideas about how to ensure a sustainable and successful future for tourism in NSW,” Ms Barham said.

“Many regional communities look to tourism as an economic and employment opportunity, but sometimes aren’t aware of the investment in infrastructure and the potential impact on residents, such as holiday letting and van camping in residential areas.”

The inquiry, to be conducted by a standing committee of the NSW Upper House, was approved on Thursday and its terms of reference include investigating and reporting on:

1. the value of tourism to New South Wales communities and the return on investment of
   government grants and funds,
2. the value of tourism to regional, rural and coastal communities,
3. the impacts of tourism on Local Government Areas, including:
   • infrastructure services provision and asset management,
   • social impacts,
   • unregulated tourism, and
   • employment opportunities,
4. the marketing and regulation of tourism, and
5. the utilisation of special rate variations to support local tourism initiatives.

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0407 065 061

Greens MP and spokesperson for Tourism and Housing, Jan Barham, has welcomed the Land and Environment Court decision on holiday letting of a residential-zoned dwelling in Terrigal.

“The Court’s clarification that homes in residential zones that were intended for long-term occupancy are inappropriate for tourism purposes is an important outcome for local communities. In coastal areas especially, the use of homes for short-term tourism rentals has seen many potential homes lost to permanent residents, causing a shortage in housing supply. The last two Census reports have shown that Byron Bay, where many homes have been given over to holiday lets, has lost permanent residents, and this has seen an erosion of community spirit,” Ms Barham said.

“In terms of tourism use, holiday letting has not served the community well. It has operated as an unapproved use that hasn’t contributed financially to council to offset the pressures of tourism. In an area already under housing stress such as Byron Bay, it has diminished the available rental stock for locals and has meant that essential workers such as teachers, nurses and tradespeople have not been able to find affordable housing.”

“The use of residential-zoned dwellings for tourism purposes has also had a major impact on housing prices, as buyers were lured into higher purchase prices on the expectation of high rental returns. During the peak tourism and event periods such as Schoolies, rents of $5,000 per week have not been uncommon. But often the homes sit vacant for long periods and the loss of neighbours and a sense of community has been devastating. During times of peak short-term
rental, the impacts can be unbearable as noise and antisocial behaviour have often forced people to move when amenity is lost.”

“For over a decade this issue has been a problem in Byron Bay and it has escalated across other coastal communities. As well as the unplanned impacts on locals, there have been risks for tourists due to the lack of appropriate planning conditions, such as for fire and structural safety.”

“Local government faces a difficult task in addressing housing availability and affordability. This decision clarifies the use of approved residential dwellings for permanent residents, which should free up dwellings to ease the housing stress and ensure that tourism occurs in appropriate areas,” Ms Barham said.

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0407 065 061

Action to address the need for affordable housing and reduce homelessness across NSW must be a higher priority from the Government, says Jan Barham, Greens MP and Housing spokesperson.

“New South Wales needs urgent, innovative action and a strong commitment of funding and support. The Government must ensure we see a growth in affordable housing that meets the changing needs of our population, including those who are ageing and people with disabilities,” Ms Barham said.

“Housing stress is not just about the cost of buying or renting. Although affordability is obviously a key challenge, it’s also about ensuring people are in homes that meet their needs, that developments and redevelopments throughout the state provide an adequate range of housing options, and that maintain people’s connections to their community.”

Ms Barham warned that the levels of homelessness in NSW highlight the need to support the state’s most vulnerable individuals and families, and ensure there was an ongoing plan to reduce the risk of homelessness. Recently the NSW upper house supported a motion that addressed homelessness and identified the need to focus on local solutions.

“A one-year extension to the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness is a necessary stop-gap, not a solution. There needs to be an ongoing agreement. The NSW Government must commit to a long-term strategy for providing housing and services to those in need, and must also work with local government to ensure people have the best chance to find affordable, stable housing.”

“On Census night 2011, more than 28,000 people living in New South Wales were homeless, an increase of around 6,000 people since 2006, which is a more than 20% rise in the homelessness rate. But thousands more are living in marginal housing, including improvised dwellings, caravan parks and crowded homes, or couch surfing and are at risk of homelessness,” Ms Barham said.

“We must reverse the homelessness trend, address the factors that leave people vulnerable to homelessness and seek an ongoing funding agreement with the Commonwealth.”

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0407 065 061

Motion on Homelessness, as passed by NSW Legislative Council on 21 March 2013:
1. That, while taking into account the inherent difficulties in accurately measuring the rates of homelessness, this House notes that:

 (a) according to the 2006 National Census, at least 27,374 people were considered homeless in New South Wales,
 (b) according to a 2009 report from the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (AIHW) entitled “Counting the Homeless”, this figure can be broken down into the following categories:
  (i) primary homelessness: at least 3,715 people, or 13 per cent of respondents, were sleeping rough in improvised dwellings,
  (ii) secondary homelessness: at least 16,033 people, or 59% of respondents, were staying with friends or relatives, or in short term accommodation provided through formal assistance,
  (iii) tertiary homelessness: at least 7,626 people, or 28 per cent of respondents, were sleeping in facilities providing longer term accommodation such as boarding houses,
 (c) according to the same AIHW report, there is a significant incidence of homelessness among children and young people in New South Wales, with 10,587 of those counted aged under 24 (39 per cent),
 (d) according to the same AIHW report, the number of older homeless people is growing, with 30 per cent of the homeless in New South Wales aged 45 or older, up from 25 per cent in 2001,
 (e) it is widely estimated that over 7 per cent of the entire homeless population of New South Wales are Aboriginal, which is well above the 2.2 per cent of the total New South Wales Aboriginal population, and
 (f) documented rates of the prevalence of mental health issues in homeless people vary markedly but an extensive research paper published in 1998 by Hodder, Teeson and Burich entitled “Down and Out in Sydney” found that 75 per cent of participants in the study had at least one mental illness, compared to 20 per cent in the general population.

2. That this House further notes:

 (a) the report of the NSW Auditor General entitled “Responding to Homelessness”, dated May 2007,
 (b) the report of New South Wales Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues entitled “Homelessness and low-cost rental accommodation”, dated September 2009,
 (c) the Government’s subsequent response to the report of the Social Issues Committee’s inquiry, dated 2010, and
 (d) the revised National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness signed on 13 April 2012.

3. That this House welcomes:

 (a) the continuation of the Premier’s Advisory Council on Homelessness, and
 (b) the implementation of the revised Homeless Persons Protocol.

4. That this House encourages:

 (a) all local councils to have a nominated staff member tasked with the responsibility of ensuring their council adheres to the Homeless Persons Protocol, and
 (b) all local councils to report on local initiatives for addressing homelessness in their local government area in their annual report.

5. That this House calls for:

 (a) a review of the ten Regional Homeless Action Plans that were developed in July 2010, together with a progress report, and
 (b) consideration of a funding program to support local government to meet the needs of homeless people.

Greens MP and spokesperson for the arts, Jan Barham, is calling for public support to secure community radio’s future in the digital era. Her call comes after the NSW upper house supported the Greens’ motion on funding for digital community radio.

“Community radio stations are a vital service across the state, and eight stations have commenced digital community radio services in Sydney. But the Federal Government needs to add another $1.4 million in next month’s budget or those services may be forced off the air,” Ms Barham said.

Ms Barham has urged people to join the Commit to Community Radio campaign, an initiative of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, ahead of the Federal Budget.

“Community radio stations fill the gaps that commercial and public broadcasters fail to cover. Community radio is largely supported by thousands of volunteers and actually helps the industry by providing a fertile training ground,” Ms Barham said.

“Community radio services local communities with vital information and news, provides a platform for new and emerging Australian musicians, and supports a wide variety of community interest groups, including culturally and linguistically diverse groups.”

“As listeners move across to digital radio, community stations need adequate funding to ensure the important services they provide can continue.”

“The NSW upper house backed my motion supporting community radio, but now the Federal Government needs to hear a groundswell of public support,” Ms Barham said.

“We need the community to shout loud and clear that they want community radio to continue, and not to be lost from the digital radio landscape. Almost 40,000 people have already joined the Commit to Community Radio campaign, but the time to speak up is right now. Sign the petition online, write to your Federal MP, support your local community radio station and those that are at risk from the funding shortfall.”

Support the Commit to Community Radio campaign at http://committocommunityradio.org.au/

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0407 065 061

The full motion supporting community radio stations is available here: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20130327010?open&refNavID=undefined

Sydney’s Welfare Rights Centre performs an important advocacy role and the NSW Government should act to reinstate secure funding for the sake of its clients, says Greens MP and spokesperson for Family and Community Services, Jan Barham.

The Centre was informed last Thursday that its funding from the NSW Department of Family and Community Services would cease at the end of the current financial year, as reported at http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/welfare-groups-funding-cut-to-hit-poor/story-fn59niix-1226620669841

“It’s especially troubling that the NSW government is pulling support for advocacy services, right as the Commonwealth payment system is failing individuals and families,” Ms Barham said.

“We know that tens of thousands of single parents are being placed under greater pressure with changes to parenting payments, and that the low rate of Newstart and other allowances risks entrenching poverty and long-term unemployment. The NSW Government should be supporting a service that helps vulnerable households with advice and advocacy to ensure they get the payments they are entitled to and they know their rights.”

Ms Barham warned that local advocacy services shouldn’t be lost in a dispute over Commonwealth versus state responsibilities. “Community Services might say the Welfare Rights Centre isn’t part of their primary focus on child protection, but we can’t let already vulnerable households fall through the cracks between different governments and departments.”

“It is in the interests of New South Wales to ensure that disadvantaged groups have access to support that addresses financial hardship and other stresses on their households. I call on the Premier to ensure that this funding finds a place in his Government’s budget, even if it no longer falls under Community Services,” Ms Barham said.

“The Welfare Rights Centre keeps NSW residents from incurring debt and penalties as a result of wrongful social security decisions. Those results help to keep households afloat and able to contribute to the NSW economy.”

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0407 065 061

The Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services, Jan Barham, has encouraged people to consider what their local community can do to help those who are homeless and at risk of homelessness.

“For those who celebrate Easter as a religious holiday, this is of course a time for reflection on self-sacrifice and caring for people. But for everyone this is a time when we should remember our most vulnerable and what can be done to support them,” Ms Barham said.

“While many people are planning to get away from home during the long weekend or the upcoming school holidays, far too many Australians can’t even contemplate a holiday because they are struggling to find a stable home. The impact of homelessness will only worsen as winter approaches and the fact that an increasing number of children are homeless is of great concern.”

“Homelessness is an issue that all sides of politics recognise we must address. Last week the NSW upper house passed a motion I presented on homelessness, with MPs from the Government, ALP and the Christian Democrats all speaking strongly in support,” Ms Barham said.

“The acknowledgment of the crucial role of developing regional and local solutions is an important position. Many MP’s spoke of people in their community who have been affected by homelessness. At a community level, local government is encouraged to adopt initiatives that address homelessness. The motion proposed that the NSW Government consider funding a program that would assist councils with homelessness services.”

“I encourage everyone to take some time this long weekend to think about what they can do about homelessness in their community. Look at what you can do to help your community organisations that are struggling to help those people who are facing difficult times and contact your councillors about local action on this issue.”

“The clear message on homelessness is that it can happen to anyone. With job losses, illness and the shortage of affordable housing it is a sad reality for our country that the homeless rate is increasing. As a caring society this is one issue that we can all address at a local level. Taking the time to contribute to the needs of the vulnerable can make a real difference,” Ms Barham said.

Current Figures – 2011 Census date:
NSW – 28,190 homeless persons; 3,632 were aged under 12, and 2,642 aged 12-18.
 

Motion on Homelessness, as passed by NSW Legislative Council on 21 March 2013:
1. That, while taking into account the inherent difficulties in accurately measuring the rates of homelessness, this House notes that:

 (a) according to the 2006 National Census, at least 27,374 people were considered homeless in New South Wales,
 (b) according to a 2009 report from the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (AIHW) entitled “Counting the Homeless”, this figure can be broken down into the following categories:
  (i) primary homelessness: at least 3,715 people, or 13 per cent of respondents, were sleeping rough in improvised dwellings,
  (ii) secondary homelessness: at least 16,033 people, or 59% of respondents, were staying with friends or relatives, or in short term accommodation provided through formal assistance,
  (iii) tertiary homelessness: at least 7,626 people, or 28 per cent of respondents, were sleeping in facilities providing longer term accommodation such as boarding houses,
 (c) according to the same AIHW report, there is a significant incidence of homelessness among children and young people in New South Wales, with 10,587 of those counted aged under 24 (39 per cent),
 (d) according to the same AIHW report, the number of older homeless people is growing, with 30 per cent of the homeless in New South Wales aged 45 or older, up from 25 per cent in 2001,
 (e) it is widely estimated that over 7 per cent of the entire homeless population of New South Wales are Aboriginal, which is well above the 2.2 per cent of the total New South Wales Aboriginal population, and
 (f) documented rates of the prevalence of mental health issues in homeless people vary markedly but an extensive research paper published in 1998 by Hodder, Teeson and Burich entitled “Down and Out in Sydney” found that 75 per cent of participants in the study had at least one mental illness, compared to 20 per cent in the general population.

2. That this House further notes:

 (a) the report of the NSW Auditor General entitled “Responding to Homelessness”, dated May 2007,
 (b) the report of New South Wales Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues entitled “Homelessness and low-cost rental accommodation”, dated September 2009,
 (c) the Government’s subsequent response to the report of the Social Issues Committee’s inquiry, dated 2010, and
 (d) the revised National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness signed on 13 April 2012.

3. That this House welcomes:

 (a) the continuation of the Premier’s Advisory Council on Homelessness, and
 (b) the implementation of the revised Homeless Persons Protocol.

4. That this House encourages:

 (a) all local councils to have a nominated staff member tasked with the responsibility of ensuring their council adheres to the Homeless Persons Protocol, and
 (b) all local councils to report on local initiatives for addressing homelessness in their local government area in their annual report.

5. That this House calls for:

 (a) a review of the ten Regional Homeless Action Plans that were developed in July 2010, together with a progress report, and
 (b) consideration of a funding program to support local government to meet the needs of homeless people.

Jan Barham, Greens MP and spokesperson for Aboriginal Affairs, has welcomed the NSW upper house’s passage of a motion calling on the Government to consider a key initiative to close the gap in health outcomes for older Indigenous people.

“This motion called on the NSW Government to consider lowering the eligibility age for the Seniors Card to 45 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I am pleased that the members of the Legislative Council across all parties supported it,” Ms Barham said.

“Making the Seniors Card available earlier is a simple, immediate way that we can ensure Indigenous people have improved access to primary health services. By having Seniors Card entitlements, including concession rates on transport and other discounts, we can help to overcome problems with the accessibility and affordability of health services.”

The motion was passed on National Close the Gap Day, a campaign that aims to eliminate the health inequality between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians by 2030.

“On average, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can expect to live more than a decade less than other Australians. Closing this gap requires a range of solutions from governments at all levels. Seniors Card eligibility is one part of the solution,” Ms Barham said.

“The Aboriginal and Community Care Gathering Committee recommended this initiative, and other organisations involved in the health and human service sectors, including NCOSS, support it. This should be a broadly supported and effective reform.”

In its submission on the upcoming budget, NCOSS estimated that lowering the eligibility age would cost approximately $2 million per annum.

Ms Barham noted, “This is an investment worth making, and one that will pay back society as a whole. It will improve the lives of Indigenous people and deliver a more effective allocation of resources.”

“I look forward to the day when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people share in the expectation of a healthier and longer life.”

Jan Barham motion on Indigenous health inequality, agreed to 21 March 2013:

1. That this House notes that:

(a) Thursday, 21 March 2013 is National Close the Gap Day, a day of recognition that governments must achieve health equality between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians by 2030,

(b) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a life expectancy that is consistently identified as being between 10 and 17 years less than the life expectancy of the general population,

(c) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience disability rates at 2.4 times the general population, and

(d) the NSW Government operates a number of support programs for older people aged 65 and over, where the eligibility age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is lowered to 45 years of age, including NSW Home and Community Care Services, assistance under the Older Parent Carer Program and the provision by Housing NSW of accommodation in Seniors Communities.

2. That this House acknowledges the finding of the 2010-11 Australian Medical Association Indigenous Health Report Card that states that “Appropriate access to primary health care can narrow the life expectancy gap, and may also offset some of the harmful health effects of socio-economic disadvantage and inequality.”

3. That this House further acknowledges recommendation 5 of the NSW Aboriginal Community Care Gathering Committee’s Conference Report from 2006 which states that:

“Eligibility for the NSW Seniors Card should be extended to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from the age of 45 years.”

4. That this House also acknowledges the NSW Aboriginal Community Care Gathering Committee’s Policy Position ratified in June 2011, specifically noting:

(a) Guiding Principle #8: “In acknowledging that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a reduced life expectancy compared to other people in Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must be eligible for aged care and other seniors’ services from the age 45 years. Until life expectancies for all are similar, eligibility from age 45 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people would ensure that they equitably receive the very necessary support services and other benefits afforded to other older people in Australia.”

(b) Recommendation 5: All programs providing support and other services to older people must ensure that the age criteria for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people start at 45 years.

(c) Recommendation 6: Aged Care Assessments must be available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from age 45 years if necessary, not 50 years.

(d) Recommendation 7: The NSW Seniors Card must be available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from age 45 years.

5. That this House calls on the State Government to consider lowering the eligibility age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be entitled to receive the NSW State Seniors Card to 45 years of age and for this new eligibility age to come into effect from July 1st 2013.

Jan Barham, Greens MP and spokesperson for Aboriginal Affairs, has welcomed the passage of her motion supporting Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by the NSW Legislative Council.

“The passage of the Act of Recognition through the Senate last week was another important step toward Constitutional Recognition, but it is crucial that politicians across all Parliaments and parties help build support for a referendum,” Ms Barham said.

“The Parliament passed an amendment to the NSW Constitution in 2010, and now the upper house has thrown its support behind constitutional change for Australia. I hope the Premier and his Government will work toward ensuring public support for Constitutional Recognition.”

The motion that was passed by the Legislative Council also recognised the contributions of the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians, along with community organisations such as Recognise, for their work in establishing the path toward a Commonwealth Referendum.

“It is a credit to the dedication of many people and organisations that Indigenous recognition has finally been achieved in the Commonwealth Parliament. The next step is for everyone who supports Constitutional change to make their voice heard,” Ms Barham said.

“I encourage all MPs across our states and territories to seek their Parliament’s expression of support for Constitutional Recognition. A demonstration that our politicians across all parties support a ‘yes’ vote would help to ensure that this referendum would see support as strong as at the Indigenous referendum in 1967.”

“Now is the time for everyone who cares about this issue to make their voice heard. People should contact their elected representatives and ask them to commit their public support to Constitutional change.”

NSW Legislative Council Hansard, 19 March 2013 – Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians:

Motion by the Hon. JAN BARHAM agreed to:

1. That this House notes that:
(a) the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Bill 2012 was passed by the Commonwealth House of Representatives on 13 February 2013 and passed by the Senate on 12 March 2013,
(b) the bill provides parliamentary recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first occupants of Australia, and acknowledges their continuing relationship with their traditional lands and waters and their continuing cultures, languages and heritage,
(c) the bill establishes a process of review of support for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution, and
(d) the bill was passed with multiparty support.

2. That this House:
(a) recognises that the continent and the islands now known as Australia were first occupied by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,
(b) acknowledges the continuing relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with their traditional lands and waters, and
(c) acknowledges and respects the continuing cultures, languages and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

3. That this House acknowledges the work of the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians and community organisations such as Recognise in establishing the path toward a Referendum on Constitutional Recognition.

4. That this House expresses its support for constitutional change for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s Constitution.