THE Communist Party of Australia (CPA) has agreed to “proudly” support a Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum on creating a parliamentary advisory group to represent the interests of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The party said in a statement on Sunday that a No vote in the referendum on establishing a so-called indigenous voice to parliament would “represent a win for racism, colonialism, intolerance and the far right in Australia.”

The Yes campaign will be “a platform to further the struggles for indigenous rights” in the country, they said.

The CPA said it was the first political party in Australia to recognise that white Australia was built on stolen land and to acknowledge the ongoing claim by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for land rights.

While the CPA supports the voice proposal, it added that land rights, real recognition, prosperity and control over their own affairs would not be gifted to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by Australia’s ruling class.

“Change only happens by consistent and ongoing campaigning, struggle and solidarity with the people,” the party insisted.

The CPA confirmed its strong commitment to struggle alongside indigenous Australians for their rights, adding that the voice “must be seen as a significant step forward in the long struggle ahead.”