MCRI adds further support to the Voice to Parliament

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute has joined key national and Victorian health services in co-signing two initiatives in support of the Voice to Parliament.

Led by the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), The Health Statement on the Voice outlined how a constitutionally enshrined Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will see health benefits and improvements to policies regarding children and families, education, jobs, housing and transport.

The VACCHO-led statement was signed by over 40 Victorian healthcare organisations, including Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Alliance, Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian Healthcare Association.

As researchers and clinicians dedicated to caring for young Australians, we have seen the major, ongoing health disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous communities. This Statement of Support was an impactful way for us, alongside others in the health sector, to communicate our support for the Voice.

“The Voice will provide a permanent platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share their wisdom, knowledge and advice to parliament on decisions affecting their own health and wellbeing,” said Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s Graham Gee.

Additionally, MCRI also signed an open letter of support for the voice, published in The Australian.

This initiative involved over 100 other signees, spanning health, advocacy, not-for-profit and other medical research institutes including Telethon Kids Institute and WEHI. 

Other major signees include the Australian Medical Association (AMA), Royal Australian College of Surgeons, Mercy Health, Novo Nordisk pharmaceuticals and the Doherty Institute.

These two initiatives come after MCRI released its own Statement on the Voice, to mark 2023’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day.

MCRI is striving to be both accountable and responsive to the needs and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families in Victoria and nationally.

Showing our continued support for the Voice to Parliament is a historic opportunity and an important step towards this.

We urge all Australians to consider the profound health and well-being benefits this initiative could bring and encourage all Australians to work towards a healthier and more equitable future for all.

Image: "Jillay wannik - Healthy pathway" By Dixon Patten, Yorta Yorta and Gunnai artist - Bayila Creative.