The Blak Sovereign Movement (BSM), a group of First Nations Elders, activists, academics and community workers including former Greens turned independent Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe have formalised their position on the Voice to Parliament.
The group's position comes after the Yes and No campaign pamphlets were published by the Australian Electoral Commission on Tuesday.
The BSM said they have been "consistent in our opposition to constitutional recognition and the Voice to Parliament", naming the Voice debate "not just a waste of resources" but also "a waste of your time and energy".
"We understand that many well-meaning folk are hurting as a result of being coerced by the Yes campaign, or are afraid to vote No due to the racism of the conservative No campaign," BSM said in a statement on Thursday.
Arguing that the Voice pretends to be a great change, but providing none, the Blak Sovereign Movement said the Voice is not a step in the right direction, suggesting "The Voice is nothing but cheap window dressing to constitutional recognition".
The Movement outlined their reasons for opposing the government's Voice to Parliament proposal, saying the Voice is not an invitation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, is not a step in the right direction, just another powerless advisory body and is a destructive distraction, absolving the government of its continued crimes.
Instead, the Movement pointed towards the recognition of sovereignty and Truth-telling being the key to real change.
"There are options that will have meaningful impacts today. It starts with Truth," they said.
"A way forward based on the lessons of this country's short history of colonisation. Founded in Truth and developed out of the lived experiences of ourselves, our communities and our ancestors.
"Join us in looking forward, beyond the distractions of this Voice rubbish, to a place formed out of Truth that values our past, our Sovereignty over this land, and strives to address the injustices committed against our people and our Country."
The Voice to Parliament referendum is set to be held sometime between October and December this year.
