Essendon backs Voice to Parliament (original) (raw)

The board of Essendon Football Club publicly announced their support for a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice to Parliament on Tuesday.

The Bombers became the latest AFL club to endorse a 'yes' vote, following a memo sent to all 18 clubs from Tanya Hosch, the league's general manager of inclusion and social policy, encouraging each to respond with their position on the proposal.

In a statement, the board said they believe the Voice "will enrich and benefit Australians".

It comes one day after their president Dave Barham confirmed former Bomber Dean Rioli would chair the club's new First Nations Advisory Council.

Rioli arrived back at Tullamarine as the club's inaugural Indigenous board member in November.

"When we announced the findings of the external review last December, we committed to restoring our leadership position in the Indigenous community. This started with the appointment of Dean Rioli as Essendon's first Indigenous Board member. Rioli, a proud Tiwi Man, has already made a significant contribution in a very short space of time," Barham said in a letter to members on Monday.

Barham said the appointment of the council is "part of a renewed focus on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at Essendon", entailing a role to advise club executives on Indigenous policy and strategy and monitor their implementation, facilitate partnerships with Indigenous communities and ensure a culturally safe environment for Indigenous players, staff, volunteers and stakeholders.

"It is a priority of our Club to nurture Indigenous players and staff and foster an environment where they will achieve their professional and personal goals," Barham wrote.

"We need to do more to embed and embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and expertise at all levels of the Club. This new national advisory council will provide leadership on cultural safety and oversee our new Indigenous development program."

On Tuesday Essendon's board said their decision to support the Voice came after after a recommendation from the Council.

"With the support of the Advisory Council, the Club has provided opportunities for players and staff to learn about and deeply understand the conversation ahead of each Australian being asked to participate in a Referendum to enshrine a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution," their statement read.

"At Essendon, we recognise that sport and football can connect people to have positive effect in Australian society. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have enriched the history of Essendon since Norm McDonald arrived at the club from Belmont in the 1940s.

"We believe that altering the constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice will enrich and benefit Australians.

"The Club supports the rights of its members, players, staff and all Australians to make an informed individual decision as to how they exercise their vote at the time of the Referendum."

The Bombers expressed their respect for differing views and encouraged an informed conversation on the Voice in concert with fellow AFL clubs previously announcing their position.

"As a Board, we believe supporting a First Nations Voice to Parliament has the capacity to create significant positive change and greater understanding between all Australians," the statement read.

At the Sir Doug Nicholls Round launch at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan hinted at a league-wide stance being made public in the coming days.

Essendon face Richmond in the annual Dreamtime at the 'G match on Saturday night.