Constitutional Recognition

The Bishops of the Anglican Church of Australia welcome the invitation from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia in the Statement from the Heart to continue the journey of reconciliation. We have also heard the call of Torres Strait Islander Anglicans to support the Masig Statement.

In 2017 the General Synod expressed its support for a “constitutionally-entrenched First Nations’ Voice to the Commonwealth Parliament”. We are thankful that Bishop Chris McLeod, the National Aboriginal Bishop, has signed an endorsement of the Statement from the Heart with other faith leaders in 2023. We are prayerfully committed to reconciliation and to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices being heard in the life of our nation.

We urge all Australians to engage seriously with the referendum question about constitutional recognition. We especially encourage Anglicans to prayerfully consider this matter, and use resources, such as those prepared by the Anglican Board of Mission, as they determine their response. We are grateful for the work of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council in the life of our church.

We encourage parish ministers and leaders of agencies to facilitate conversation and education about the referendum question and process.

The Most Reverend Geoffrey Smith on behalf of the National Bishops’ Meeting
Archbishop of Adelaide and
Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia