In Conversation: The Uluru Statement from the Heart

Why does Australia need a First Nations Voice in Parliament?

Change through action is needed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have a say in laws and policies that impact them, however, the debate around the details continues to create tension. As the referendum, inches closer, the people of Australia have been invited to start thinking about the decision they are going to make towards the constitutional recognition of a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution.

Join us for In Conversation as we explore the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and hear from our expert panel as they delve into the principles around the establishment of Voice and why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples need a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

Meet our Facilitator

Glen Kelly OAM is a Wardandi Noongar man from the south west of WA with 30 years’ experience in Aboriginal affairs and native title. Currently a Member of the National Native Title Tribunal, Glen served as CEO of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWLASC), leading the development and negotiation of the South West native title settlement. Glen has played a prominent role in Aboriginal Affairs and native title across Australia, serving on a number of national and State boards and advisory roles. Glen was recognised as the Western Australian of the Year in the Aboriginal category in 2019.

Meet our speakers

Kyra Galante (Bonney) is a Guburn (Kupurn) woman from the Goldfields region of Western Australia, having connections to Noongar Country. Kyra has over 20 years’ experience delivering Indigenous community engagement, recruitment and mentoring strategies in civil construction and mining. In over two decades Kyra has increased Indigenous employment across those sectors through policy advice, program management, community engagement and candidate selection. Kyra’s recently undertaking a role as a WA Ambassador for the Yes Campaign.

Emeritus Professor Simon Forrest was born and raised in Wadjuk country. His mother is Nyungar and father is Yamaji, Wongutha.  He trained as a primary school teacher and worked in schools in Aboriginal communities and rural towns in Western Australia. Simon is WA’s most established Aboriginal academic commencing in 1983.  He was the first Aboriginal person in WA to be appointed to a Head of Department position at a university. He retired in December 2019 and in recognition of his contributions to reconciliation and teaching of Aboriginal studies and Aboriginal education at Curtin University, Western Australian and internationally he was awarded a Curtin University Fellow and Emeritus Professor status.

Emeritus Professor Colleen Hayward AM is a senior Noongar woman with extensive family links throughout the south-west of WA. She comes from a teaching family with her father having been the first Aboriginal teacher, and Principal, in WA. For more than 35 years, Colleen has provided significant input to policies and programs on a wide range of issues, reflecting the needs of minority groups at community, state and national levels. She has an extensive background in a range of areas including health, education, training, employment, housing, child protection, family & domestic violence, and law & justice as well as significant experience in policy and management.