Why We Support The Voice to Parliament

Respecting the traditions of First Nations people, working in partnership to promote education of cultural heritage, is one of the core tenets of the World Expeditions Travel Group's Thoughtful Travel Charter. As a company, we support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Not only by engaging with them in our operations as we currently do, thus bringing a precious perspective of the importance of connection to land, but also and on a broader level, their pursuit for equality and recognition. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold a unique status as the first peoples of Australia, having lived here for more than 65,000 years. We believe that it is time to acknowledge their connection to our great country. 

For almost 40 years, the World Expeditions Travel Group, of which Australian Cycle Tours is a division, have worked with Traditional Landowners and local Aboriginal communities in order to bring to you some of Australia’s greatest adventure experiences. When the Garma Festival first allowed non-indigenous travellers to attend, we were honoured to have been chosen to be the only company to assist with travel arrangements. 

Having long worked with remote and minority communities around the world, whether providing a Community or Regenerative Project for our travellers, or Service Learning experience for schools, one key learning has been that only through consultation and feedback from the communities on matters relating to them can we hope to truly assist them. 

Based on our experiences, we believe what the Voice proposes is a very reasonable proposition.

Recognition: We agree that it is time our nation formally recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first people of Australia. 

Voice to Parliament: A representative body of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, sitting outside the parliament, providing advice – not a veto or decision-making capacity - on issues related to them, is a sensible way forward based on what we have learned assisting communities around the world. 

Referendum: To avoid such a policy becoming a political hot-potato, we agree that the only way for formal recognition is a permanent change in the national rule-book – the Australian Constitution. 

Since Federation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have advocated for constitutional reform to recognise their rights as the first people of our nation. In 1967, the Australian people overwhelmingly responded to change the Constitution to count First Nations people in our census. In 2023, they seek to be formally recognised on a land that they have occupied for over 65,000 years. 

For these reasons, we support the ‘Yes’ campaign for the Voice to Parliament.

In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future. 

Uluru Statement From The Heart

In 2022, World Expeditions' Australian program was Triple Certified by Ecotourism Australia, which includes Respecting our Culture Certification.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the detail you need - Thomas Mayo, Kerry O'Brien and Cathy Wilcox

Voice to Parliament online training course

Reconciliation Australia

Uluru Statement From The Heart - read the full Statement

Constitutional Amendment and Referendum Question