QUT has pledged its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart with a formal statement approved by the University Council and the University Executive Leadership Team.
The decision reflects the University’s commitment to its Indigenous Australian students and staff and ongoing support for the process of Constitutional reform that underpins the Uluru Statement.
QUT Chancellor Ann Sherry AO and QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil AO said The Uluru Statement from the Heart, and its call to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution, will give Indigenous Australians the opportunity to participate in matters that affect them by informing and advising on decisions that impact their lives.
“Indigenous Australians are best placed to know what works best for their families and communities and evidence shows that when they have a say in the solutions to drive practical change outcomes generally improve,” Professor Sheil said.
She said it was time to support the rights of Indigenous Australian people. She said QUT sought to deepen and expand the way in which students understood, respected and valued the significant contributions of those who have lived in this place for countless generations.
The support of The Voice reflects QUT’s responsibility to Indigenous Australians as outlined in Connections: QUT Strategy 2023-2027.
The strategy’s priority focus on ‘Recognising and fostering Indigenous Australian excellence’ seeks to build, sustain and celebrate the excellence, talents and resources Indigenous Australians bring to the university and the substantial contributions they make to the university’s education, research and engagement.
“As a university community it is recognised that QUT is better and stronger for it,” Professor Sheil said.
She said the university was proud to support the Uluru Statement and to further assert a commitment to Indigenous Australian staff, students, and communities.
The university also called for all students and staff to ensure they were enrolled to vote.
Media contact:
Madeline Healy, QUT Media, 07 3138 3083, m5.healy@qut.edu.au
After hours: 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
