Staff Writers

By Newsport reader Brandt Teale

Preaching to the converted, walkouts by No Vote supporters and a disagreement over national sovereignty were all part of of the recent ‘Voice to Parliament’ meeting at the Mossman Shire Hall.

It turned out to be a respectful forum on the indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.

It was our first chance locally to get informed about the upcoming referendum and was taken up by about 40 residents from across the Shire, and numbers are set to grow with many more forums heading our way soon.

Last week's Q&A was an official campaign event by the National Uluru Statement from the Heart group and was organised by local community elders and the Voice campaign's FNQ organising committee.

The two-hour forum began with a 27-minute video presentation giving a factual account of legal and political actions impacting indigenous cultures particularly in the past 60 years.

The meeting had none of the highly politicised moments of recent forums in Victoria and NSW but became a little tense when two audience members in a ‘Robust’ manner claimed the sovereignty of all Australians could be at risk if the Constitution was changed, and there might also be wastage of funds.

Answers to their concerns was given, but one walked out before the response was completed and the other person soon followed with the answer once again left hanging.

Apart from those isolated moments, there was a positive atmosphere with many of those who had been undecided on the issue keen to hear it explained.

The Voice FNQ organising committee will be holding monthly meetings in major centres between Cooktown and Townsville, between now and the end of August with Port Douglas set to host its session later this month with a date yet to be set.

Q&A sessions have already been held with the region's Muslim community and future forums in Mossman will be held on May 3rd, June 7th, July 5th, and August 2nd.