Bayside Council endorses Yes vote in Voice to Parliament referendum

Bayside Council has officially endorsed a Yes vote in the upcoming federal referendum on whether to include an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the Australian constitution.

At its November 2022 meeting, the Council endorsed the Uluru Statement From The Heart which in turn implies endorsement of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament and a Yes vote in the referendum.

The council has chosen to use the Federal Government's official and authorised Yes vote collateral instead of creating its own unique marketing message. This move aims to streamline the council's efforts and maximise the impact of their endorsement.

As part of their support for the Yes vote, Bayside Council has allocated funding in the 2023/24 budget to fund a flag and banner program, which will raise awareness for the Voice to Parliament initiative. The flags will be flown across the LGA, while pull-up banners will be used at Mayoral speeches and council events.

At the April 2023 City Services Committee meeting, the council revealed it has also applied for a $20,000 NAIDOC Week grant from the Australian Government. If successful, the grant will be used to develop a program for NAIDOC Week, which will also promote the Yes vote.

If the council secures the NAIDOC Week grant, several actions are planned to promote the Yes vote during the week-long event. These activities include a post-ceremonial event following the official flag-raising ceremony to open NAIDOC Week.

Additionally, the council plans to host a NAIDOC Week Family Fun Day, complete with a community barbecue to promote the Yes vote. The event is estimated to cost between $4,000 and $5,000.

A montage of portrait images of local Elders will also be created, reflecting the theme of the week, "For Our Elders." This will be a permanent mural to be installed at a location yet to be decided.

To further boost the Yes campaign, Bayside Council will utilise its social media and e-news channels.