The Capital Airport Group (CAG) has joined with The Snow Foundation to publicly support Constitutional Recognition and the Voice to Parliament. This includes the provision of office space for the local Yes23 campaign team to be used to coordinate the 1000+ Canberra-based volunteers working on the campaign, and other local campaign activity.

On 5 September, the launch event was held in Fairbairn, next door to the proposed office. Thank you to Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet Sheridan for the Welcome to Country, Rob Baillieu convenor of the Yes23 Canberra campaign, Stephen Byron AM CEO Capital Airport Group, Professor Maree Meredith, Bidjara woman and Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership at the University of Canberra and MC Georgina Byron AM, and to all the volunteers and the wonderful young people from the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Emerging Leaders Program (Central Western Desert area) for attending.

“The idea for the Voice comes from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people, and more than 80% of Indigenous people support it. The Voice will provide our nation with a mechanism to listen to Indigenous people on matters that affect them. If we want to ‘close the gap’ in critical areas like life expectancy, health, education, housing and employment, we must ensure we listen to a diverse group of Indigenous Australians about the challenges that impact them,” CAG CEO Stephen Byron said.

CAG has provided an office space for the duration of the campaign, to house staff and volunteers and coordinate the local campaign as it interacts with the people of Canberra and the region. We hope this supports the Yes23 team to have many engaging conversations with Australians in all states on the phone and face-to-face discussions with the Canberra community.

“Having a dedicated office will enable the team to strategise, coordinate and train volunteers, and call Australians across the country, ensuring that no one is left uninformed,” Rob Baillieu, the convenor of the Yes 2023 Canberra campaign said today.

At the event, Georgina Byron CEO The Snow Foundation added, “Today marks a continuation of the Foundation’s commitment to First Nations people and social justice. We are fortunate to have worked with many Indigenous leaders and communities – they are at the centre of our work where together we are deeply committed to end rheumatic heart disease and crusted scabies. We have also hosted a number of information events with First Nations leaders – sharing the facts behind the Voice, the Uluru Statement and have witnessed that once people understand, they too join in their commitment to listen, respect and recognise First Nations people.”

To win on 14 October, a huge team of volunteers in the ACT is required to ensure every front door in the region is knocked on and has a chance to hear about the benefits of the Voice to parliament.

For the full media release visit here