Samuel's View on the Voice

On 14 October 2023, Australians will vote in a referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice enshrined in the Constitution.

This week, we heard from Samuel Stevenson, aged 16, an apprentice electrician from Wollongong.

I'm a bit too young to vote but I'm asking those who can vote to vote Yes, for my future and the future of this country – I want to live in a fair and respectful country. I especially want to live in a country that recognises and respects the unique history and culture of Aboriginal people.

Recognition in the Constitution and a Voice to Parliament will allow this to happen.

As a young, white Australian man, my path in life and position is lucky. And yet a young Aboriginal man my age is likely to die eight years earlier than me. He is less likely to access tertiary education, and more likely to have chronic health problems and face discrimination every day in public, at school, and at work.

This simply isn't fair. I want to grow up and live in a fair Australia.

Surely, we all do?

I ask that others who can vote, vote Yes; for my future and the future of all young people, especially First Nations People.