The following is a statement issued by the Communist Party of Australia

On 14th October vote and write YES!

For the last 4 months since launching a week of action in July, the CPA has actively campaigned for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s Voice to Parliament. At its meeting in January the Central Committee, responding to the announcement of the referendum, came out proudly in favour of a YES vote in the upcoming referendum on a Voice to parliament for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At the time, Andrew Irving, CPA General Secretary said “The referendum question presents us with an opportunity for historical change, for Australia to enshrine a First Nations Voice. The answer must be YES!”

We also recognised that at the same time as supporting the Voice, land rights, real recognition, prosperity, and control over the affairs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will not be gifted or bestowed on them by Australia’s dominant capitalist class. The CPA knows that real change only happens through consistent and ongoing campaigning, struggle, and solidarity with the people.