The Voice
& Treaty, Truth
As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The Uluru Statement calls for a First Nations Voice to Parliament and a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making and truth-telling. The Voice is the first reform with Treaty and Truth to follow.
To enable this first reform, a referendum will be held between October and December 2023 to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
A Voice to Parliament will be a permanent body to make representations to the Australian Parliament and the Executive Government on legislation and policy of significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
There is a large amount of background information available online and we want to share some of this with you to help you understand a range of perspectives on this important issue. If you have any resources you would like to share with NH Barwon please contact Anthea@nhbarwon.org.au
Please click on the images below to be directed to websites or downloads.
Yes 23
This vote will give all Australians the chance to come together and consider a change to our constitution that will honour and celebrate the rights, history, and ongoing relationship of Indigenous Australians with this land. It’s a rare chance to make a major positive impact now and for future generations.
Together, Yes - First Nations Voice to Parliament
Together, Yes aims to generate a huge groundswell of community support for a Voice to parliament by people coming together and holding Kitchen Table Conversations about the central issues.
Rueben Berg Youtube
Rueben Berg shares his perspective on the Referendum for a Voice
Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples through a Voice-
Information Booklet.
The Voice will be empowering, community-led, inclusive, respectful and culturally informed.
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Members of the Voice would be expected to connect with – and reflect the wishes of – their communities.
- The Voice would consult with grassroots communities and regional entities to ensure its representations are informed by their experience, including the experience of those who have been historically excluded from participation
Statement of the Heart
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to the Australian people. We ask Australians to accept our invitation to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future. We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution and a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making and truth-telling about our history.
Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies
The Australian people will vote in a referendum in the latter part of 2023. They will be asked whether they agree to change the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples by providing for a representative body to be called the Voice. The wording of the change must be agreed by the Parliament before it is considered by the people. This Info Sheet explains what is proposed and the steps that will be taken along the way. It reflects the situation on 31 March 2023. It will be updated as the year progresses
Yoorrook
The Yoorrook Justice Commission is Victoria's formal truth-telling body. Learn more.
Fact Sheet: Voice to Parliament
deakinlawclinic.org.au
This fact sheet contains information about the Voice to Parliament, a brief history of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia and how the Voice is proposed
to operate.
Fact Sheet:
Australian Referendums
http://deakinlawclinic.org.au
This fact sheet contains information about referendums in Australia, including what they
are, how they work and how you participate in one.
Q+A at Garma 2022
Q+A returns special program from north-east Arnhem Land, broadcasting from the Garma Festival, Australia’s largest Indigenous cultural gathering. Indigenous leaders say much progress has been made on implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
Free Community TOOL KITS for downloading!
You will find a range of resources about the Voice and the referendum, including posters, templates, social media posts, and more.
We encourage you to share these resources with your communities and networks, using the channels and methods you know will reach them best.
There are also translated resources.
Design Principles
of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
A Voice to Parliament will be a permanent body to make representations to the Australian Parliament and the Executive Government on legislation and policy of significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It will further the self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, by giving them a greater say on matters that affect them. Check out the principles today!