Aboriginal elder urges Australians to vote Yes

The Equality Campaign’s new video encouraging Australians to vote Yes for marriage equality features respected Aboriginal elder Harold Hunt OAM.

The 91-year-old appears in the video speaking about diversity and acceptance.

Hunt received the Order of Australia Medal for his services to Indigenous communities.

In the video, he compares the oppression Aboriginal Australians have seen over his lifetime to the inequality that LGBTI people face, and argues that Australia won’t be harmed by same-sex marriage.

“There’s one group of people here that we’re not giving a fair go,” he said.

“What harm will it do to the country if gay and lesbian people get married?

“If people of the same sex marry each other, what effect is that going to have on the country, on the lifestyle of people?”

Hunt said he considers marriage an important right for couples who choose it.

“It’s terribly important, to have the love of another human being, that we care enough about each other to want to be able to share the rest of your life with that person,” he said.

He urged Australians to vote Yes in the marriage equality postal survey.

“If you tick that Yes box, you’re going to be helping a lot more people than you think,” he said.

“You have a choice today, grab it with both hands and get in there. Stand up and be counted. Be proud of yourselves.

“I’m voting yes because it’s the decent thing to do.”