Daniel Andrews has thrown his help behind AFL star Michael Long as the previous footballer set off on a stroll from Melbourne to Canberra in help of the Yes marketing campaign.
Long, the son of two members of the stolen generations, beforehand walked the 650km distance almost 20 years in the past to boost consciousness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander points.
Now within the lead as much as the referendum on the Indigenous Voice to parliament, and with the help of the Victorian authorities, he has set off as soon as once more on the identical journey.
Accompanied by state politicians and supporters of the The Long Walk, the soccer legend instructed reporters “the hatred’s got to stop”.
“We’re old enough to have those discussions as people (without) negativity,” he mentioned from the steps of the Melbourne Town Hall on Sunday morning.
“We’re better than that as Australians and I’ve seen that happen with football over time.”
Initially scheduled for 2024 to mark the twentieth anniversary of the stroll, Long introduced the journey ahead to boost help for the Voice.
“Good intentions doesn’t always work,” Long mentioned to the media on Sunday.
“It’s about all Australians and it’s time.
“It’s time as a nation … that we come together.”
Playing for the Essendon Football Club between 1989 and 2001, Long had a significant affect in establishing the racial abuse code adopted by the AFL within the 90s.
Calling on different Aussies to affix him on his journey, Long is scheduled to reach in Canberra on September 14 the place he might be welcomed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Mr Andrews wished Long effectively on the primary leg of his stroll, inside which he’ll journey from Melbourne’s CBD to Essendon within the metropolis’s northwest.
“We’re extremely proud to have been long-time supporters of Michael and his foundation – they do fantastic work in the Aboriginal community, and we’ll continue to support them wherever we can,” the premier mentioned.
“We wish Michael all the best as he treks up to Canberra – we all remember the impact his walk had 20 years ago, and this one will be no different.”
On Sunday, the Andrews authorities additionally introduced a $250,000 donation to the Long Foundation.
The Victorian authorities has begun the method of creating a Treaty, with negotiations with the not too long ago elected leaders of the First People’s Assembly to start later this yr.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
