Rugby Australia has joined the rising listing of elite sports activities pushing for a sure vote on this 12 months’s referendum on the Indigenous voice to parliament, declaring it was “long overdue”.
In a daring assertion launched on Thursday, RA officers declared it was “too important a contest to watch in silence” and needed to make it clear the place rugby stood as a code.
Earlier this week, Brumbies chair Matthew Nobbs mentioned his Super Rugby Pacific membership wouldn’t be taking a stance and believed rugby’s governing physique shouldn’t both.
He mentioned “we don‘t think politics should play a part in sport” and urged RA to stay away from making a statement on behalf of all the game’s stakeholders.
But Nobbs later withdrew his feedback and the place was made clear on Thursday that the code unanimously supported the sure vote and one among “unification” for Australia.
“What business does a sporting body have, you might ask, making political statements? And what qualifies rugby, of all sports, to talk about unification?” reads the assertion.
“We are, after all, one of four footy codes in Australia. Four codes which compete fiercely for audiences, funding, even players. We’ve rarely spoken in unison in the past. And the Rugby Australia Board certainly doesn’t claim to speak for anyone else now. But the proposed referendum on the Voice to parliament is too important a contest to watch in silence. And we know we aren’t the only sports body which believes the aims of the referendum transcend any rivalries.”
“Because whatever pollies and pundits say, what it comes down to is a principle ordinary Australians already apply, every day, in every aspect of their lives. A level playing field.”
The RA assertion cited quite a few historic and sporting causes for backing a Voice to parliament, declaring sport generally is a highly effective ally for change.
“That’s why we stood against apartheid South Africa, with Nelson Mandela awarding six Wallabies the Medal of Freedom for their leadership of the protests. The ’67 referendum was the most successful in our history, with the constitutional amendments proposed endorsed by more than 90 per cent of the population,” the assertion learn.
“But as proud as that should make us, it’s only one milestone in a continuing journey.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are still trapped in a cycle of disadvantage.
“For a fortunate few, elite sport has always provided an off-ramp.
“The year that saw the first Aboriginal person elected to federal parliament was the same year Evonne Goolagong won the first of her seven grand slam titles.
“At the 2000 Olympics, Cathy Freeman won a race which stopped a nation more effectively than any Melbourne Cup.
“And it was the brilliance of three Ella brothers which helped put Australian rugby in the top international tier.”
RA believes the Voice referendum offers the possibility to make historical past.
“And it gives each and every one of us the chance to make Australian history,” the RA assertion mentioned
“Despite what you might have read, you don’t need a constitutional law degree to make an informed decision about the vote you cast.”
Source: www.news.com.au
