The 23 South Australian organisations spanning charities, unions, arts and multicultural groups have signed a joint statement endorsing a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum.

They join a list of almost 800 organisations nationwide who have publicly backed the ‘Yes’ campaign which if successful would alter the Constitution to recognise First Nations people by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

“As leaders of diverse South Australian organisations, we are united in our endorsement of the Uluru Statement and its call for constitutional recognition through a Voice,” the statement reads.

“Indigenous people cannot ensure the referendum’s success without active support from non-Indigenous Australians.

“The Constitution and the future belong to all of us. Get involved in the campaign and join this exciting push for a better future.”

The endorsement comes as polling shows that support for the Voice to Parliament is dwindling. The most recent poll from Resolve for Nine newspapers found 54 per cent of those surveyed were against the Voice, while 46 per cent were in favour.

That poll also found just 46 per cent of South Australians intended to support the ‘Yes’ vote, with the majority leaning towards rejecting Indigenous recognition in the Constitution.

The South Australian signatories include Australian Sikh Support, Council of Christian and Jews, UnitingSA, The Don Dunstan Foundation and SA Unions.

A number of Indigenous organisations signed the statement too like the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council and Ngarrindjeri Ruwe Empowered Communities.

Tandanya CEO Phillip Saunders said the Aboriginal cultural institute supported the Voice to Parliament because “it is a step in the right direction”.

“We see this time in history as a unifying moment,” Sunders said.

“It is a healing opportunity and importantly, a Voice to Parliament and constitutional change is a gift to our children.”

The Don Dunstan Foundation is another statement signatory, with the organisation’s executive director Kate Baldock saying endorsement aligned with the legacy left by the former South Australian Premier.

“As Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and as Premier, Dunstan led significant reforms to improve the lives of First Nations People and to support a fairer and more progressive society,” Baldock said.

“The best policies are made when we listen to those who they affect, and we believe the Voice is the next step we need to take as a country to walk together with First Nations people.”

CEO of not-for-profit UnitingSA Jenny Hall said the organisation was proud to stand alongside the “growing number of organisations showing support for the Yes campaign”.

“Securing a constitutionally-enshrined Voice to Parliament is the pivotal first step in addressing the injustices of the past and giving First Nations people a long overdue voice on issues that affect their lives.”

The South Australian organisations signing the joint statement to support a ‘Yes’ vote include:

• Australian Sikh Support
• Council of Christian and Jews
• Australian Refugee Association
• Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council
• South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON)
• South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS)
• Tamil Arts Australia
• Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute
• Uniting SA
• Reconciliation SA
• The Don Dunstan Foundation
• Australian Film Diversity and Inclusion Foundation
• Welcoming Australia
• NPY Women’s Council
• The Wyatt Trust
• NPY Empowered Communities
• Purple House
• Ngarrindjeri Ruwe Empowered Communities
• SA Unions
• Slingsby
• Australian Alliance to end Homelessness
• Islamic Society of SA
• Cisarua Learning

The statement in full is presented below.

Joint statement by South Australian Organisations for Yes

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples asked Australians to walk with them towards a better future through the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

As leaders of diverse South Australian organisations, we are united in our endorsement of the Uluru Statement and its call for constitutional recognition through Voice. We will be voting ‘Yes’ in the upcoming referendum later this year.

Australia is not yet complete. Australia is built on an ancient Indigenous foundation which is not yet recognised in the nation’s rulebook, the Constitution. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples want to be recognised in the Constitution of our country.

The proposal in the referendum comes from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is the result of many years of work and lengthy consultation around the country.

This reform is supported by the overwhelming majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who want a say in decisions made about them, so we can all see better results for Indigenous families and communities. The current system has failed and must change. This is why Indigenous people have proposed a form of recognition that is both symbolic and practical through Voice.

We love Australia and have hope for the future. We are all in this together. We believe we must all play a role in leaving a world that is better for our children and grandchildren.

Indigenous people cannot ensure the referendum’s success without active support from non-Indigenous Australians. The Constitution, and the future belong to all of us. So join the conversation. Get involved in the campaign and join this exciting push for a better future.

We ask South Australian people, let’s do something good for each other.

Indigenous people have made an offer and stretched out their hand. Accept the invitation and walk with all of us to a better future.