The National Indigenous Australians Agency has more information about the Voice to Parliament here.

On Saturday, 14 October 2023, Australians will have their say in a referendum about whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. 

Voters will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on a single question. The question on the ballot paper will be: 

“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. 

Do you approve this proposed alteration?” 

What is the Voice? 

The Voice will be a permanent advisory body enshrined in the Constitution. The Voice will comprise of First Nations representatives from each of the states, territories and the Torres Strait Islands, who will provide advice to the Australian Parliament on matters that directly affect First Nations communities across Australia.

The Voice is about: 

1. Recognition 

• Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our Constitution and paying respect to 65,000 years of culture and tradition.  

2. Listening 

• Listening to advice from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about matters that affect their lives, so governments make better decisions.   

3. Better Results 

• Making practical progress in Indigenous health, education, jobs and housing, so people have a better life. 

Where did the Voice come from?

This idea came directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - not from politicians. In May 2017, over 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Delegates gathered as signatories of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The Statement calls for recognition in the Constitution through a Voice. Today, more than 80% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people support recognition in the Constitution through a Voice. 

Why do we need the Voice?

There are big challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: 

• A life expectancy 8 years shorter than non-Indigenous Australians.
• Worse rates of disease and infant mortality.  
• A suicide rate twice as high. 
• Fewer opportunities for education and training.  

For a long time, governments with good intentions have spent billions trying to deal with these issues. But they haven’t achieved lasting improvement because they haven’t listened to people on the ground. The current approach is broken and the Voice is our best chance to fix it. 

Why do we need it now?

In 2009, the first Closing the Gap report was published, just a year after the first Closing the Gap Framework following former PM Kevin Rudd’s National Apology to the Stolen Generations. The report highlighted the significant disadvantage of First Nations communities across Australia, and what would need to be done to address it.  

Today, the gaps are still significant – only four of the 19 socio-economic targets are on track. We cannot delay in addressing the gaps any further, and the Voice is instrumental in creating a process of consultation to build robust, comprehensive policies. 

What powers will the Voice have?

The Voice will provide formal advice to Parliament. It will not have the power to veto or block laws. Further to this, the advice need only be considered and unable to be challenged in court, and no law can be invalidated on the basis of consultation with the Voice. It will not deliver programs. 

Not all First Nations peoples agree on the Voice, so why are we doing this?

In May 2017, over 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Delegates gathered as signatories of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The Statement was born from 12 dialogues across Australia, where delegates shared their perspectives and what the Statement needed to achieve for First Nations communities. Today, more than 80% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people support recognition in the Constitution through a Voice. Whilst not all First Nations people agree, the extensive consultation signifies that many leaders believe this to be an important step forward. 

Find out more about the Uluru Statement from the Heart:

What will the Referendum ask us to vote on? 

The question we will be asked to vote on later this year is as follows:

"A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?

Do you approve this proposed alteration?"

The proposed law that Australians are being asked to approve at the referendum would insert a new section into the Constitution: 

"Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

1. 1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice; 
   2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
   3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures."

Why do we need to amend the Constitution?

The Uluru Statement from the Heart states that with ‘constitutional change and structural reform’, First Nations peoples can be empowered and take their rightful place in their own country. Over decades, dozens of Indigenous representative groups have been established and then removed or defunded by changing Governments and bureaucratic agendas. Putting the Voice in the Constitution protects it from politics, giving it the time, security, and independence that it needs to provide meaningful and honest advice. 

When is the Referendum?

The referendum will be held on October 14. Pre-poll voting will commence on October 2, and postal voting will also be available to voters. Find out more by clicking here: Referendum 2023 (aec.gov.au) 

How can I volunteer to help the Yes campaign?

You can sign up to volunteer via my website: https://janastewart.com.au/voice-to-parliament/volunteer/ or the Yes23 website: https://www.yes23.com.au/volunteer.

For more information, you can also visit: