New polling released by The Australia Institute today shows that a majority of voters support key recommendations put forward in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

It has been one year since the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a declaration by the 2017 First Nations national Constitutional Convention.

The Australia Institute surveyed 1417 Australians in December 2017 with a series of questions about their attitudes towards the Uluru Statement.

Key results:

• The majority of respondents support (51%) starting a nation-wide process of agreement or treaty making between Australian governments and First Nations, with 26% opposed.

• More than twice as many respondents supported (55%) than opposed (25%) the Uluru Statement’s recommendation for a Commission for truth-telling about the history of the treatment and experience of First Nations people in Australia under European settlement.

• More respondents (46%) support enshrining a First Nations Voice in the Constitution, with 29% opposed, and 24% not sure.

“One year on, the Government should have acted on the recommendations in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Not only is it the right thing to do, our research shows most Australians want them to,” said Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director of The Australia Institute.

“A majority of Australians support starting a nation-wide process of treaty making between the Australian Governments and First Nations, when will our political leaders take notice and act?

“The strong support for a Commission for truth-telling of the historical treatment of First Nations people in Australia under European settlement shows that Australians are not buying the ‘white-blindfold’ view of our nation’s history and understand the importance of publicly reckoning with our violent past.

“With the current scrutiny on the Constitution’s role in determining the eligibility of those seeking elected office, it is well past time we debate including enshrining a First Nations Voice in our Constitution,” said Bennett.

Media enquiries: Anna Chang 0422 775 161

The Australia Institute is a Canberra-based public policy think tank established in 1994

www.tai.org.au