The Voice - Referendum - North Metropolitan TAFE: Reusable content

Aboriginal Flag designed by Mr Harold Thomas. Torres Strait Islander Flag designed by the late Mr Bernard Namok.

Introduction

From 23 to 26 May 2017, 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons, representing nations from all over Australia, came together at Uluru in Central Australia. This meeting, known as the National Constitutional Convention, was the result of years of Dialogues about the need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be recognised in the constitution.

The resulting declaration is titled the ‘Uluru Statement From the Heart’ which was signed by all participants in the convention. The Uluru Statement calls for the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Australian Constitution. This will be followed by the ‘Makarrata Commission’ for truth-telling about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s history and agreement-making (Treaty) between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and governments.

In Australia, any constitutional change needs to be decided via Referendum and in 2023, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a Referendum will take place to make these changes. The referendum is proposed to be held in late 2023 (however no exact date has been set at the time of writing). This referendum will ask Australians whether they agree with the proposed changes.

Parliament of Australia. (2017). Uluru Statement: a quick guide. https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1617/Quick_Guides/UluruStatement

Reconciliation Australia. (2023). Voice to parliament. https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation/support-a-voice-to-parliament/

The Question

The Referendum Question:

The Question to be put to the Australian people at the 2023 referendum 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 of this proposed alteration?"

Constitutional Amendment:

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

"Chapter IX Recognition on 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:

There shall be a body, to be called Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
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."

National Indigenous Australians Agency. (2023). Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Voice. https://www.niaa.gov.au/indigenous-affairs/referendum-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-voice#:~:text=Referendum%20question,and%20Torres%20Strait%20Islander%20Voice.

Uluru Statement From the Heart

'We invite you to walk with us' (2017: Uluru Statement from the Heart.) - National Museum of Australia This 'Digital Classroom' is to educate people on one of the most defining moments in Australian History.
The Uluru Statement "The Uluru Dialogue represents cultural authority of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and leads community education on the Uluru Statement's reforms of Voice, Treaty and Truth." -- Taken from Website.
Uluru Statement: a quick guide A short history of the Uluru Statement, it's objectives and some of the reaction to it.
The Uluru Statement in Full The full Uluru Statement of the Heart courtesy of The National Museum of Australia.

Government Sites and Sources

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet - Hon Patrick Gorman MP. Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, writing how Western Australian Governments, State and Local are giving their support to The Voice.
Recognition through a Voice - "Be Ready for the conversation." More in depth information about what the Voice will do and how it will be set up.
Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice A basic introduction about the Referendum, the Question and the Constitutional Amendment, by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
Reflection "Spanning 50 years, this collection of over 100 artefacts shows significant changes that occurred as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people fought for equal access to government payments and services." -- Taken from introduction.

Community and Advisory Group's Websites

Australians Together A non-profit organisation that brings together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the spirit of collaboration and respect.
Reconciliation Australia Reconciliation Australia "promotes and facilitates by building relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities." -- Taken from Website.
Referendum Council The referendum council was appointed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnball and Opposition Leader Bills Shorten in 2015. Their role was to advise the parliament on the steps towards a successful referendum.
Voice to Parliament: Debunking 10 Myths and Misconceptions There are many misconceptions about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, Monash University tries to debunk them.

Library Resources

The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Details You Need The Voice to Parliament Handbook is an easy-to-follow guide for the millions of Australians who have expressed support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, but want to better understand what a Voice to Parliament actually means.
Finding Our Heart: A story about the Uluru Statement for Young Australians (Children's Book) Unlike past generations, Australian children today are learning Indigenous languages, seasons and the truth of this country's history. The expression 'through a child's eyes' is put into practice in the pages of this picture book for 5- to 10-year-olds.

Other Resources

Information Booklet: Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a Voice A short downloadable information booklet about the Referendum and the Voice to Parliament.

Uluru Statement From the Heart A downloadable version of the Uluru Statment From the Heart.

Taken from: The Uluru Statement. (2023). Uluru statement from the heart. https://ulurustatement.org/the-statement/view-the-statement/

The Uluru Statement from the Heart in Languages other than English

The Uluru Statement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages "The Uluru Statement From The Heart represents an invitation to recognise the first sovereign Nations in Australia’s Constitution. Explore this important statement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages." -- Taken from Website.
The Uluru Statement in World Languages (A-G) "The Uluru Statement From The Heart represents an invitation to recognise the first sovereign Nations in Australia’s Constitution. Explore this important statement in the languages of Australia's diverse communities (A - G)" -- Taken from Website
The Uluru Statement in World Languages (H-Z) "The Uluru Statement From The Heart represents an invitation to recognise the first sovereign Nations in Australia’s Constitution. Explore this important statement in the languages of Australia's diverse communities (H - Z)" -- Taken from Website

Audiovisual Sources

Everything You Need to Know About the Voice - EduTV "What is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament and why are we all voting to change the Australian Constitution? Dana Morse, takes a deep dive into everything you need to know about the Voice." -- Taken from description.
From the Heart - YouTube Channel From the Heart is an education project created to show Australians that an Indigenous Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution is fair and practical. -- Taken from Channel Description.
Noel Pearson - Who we were, who we are, and who we can be. Noel Pearson discusses the referendum to amend the Constitution, referring to three periods: the past, the present and the future. (2023 Boyer Lectures)
Speaking Up - EduTV "Dan Bourchier, Bridget Brennan and special guests explore the Uluru Statement from the Heart, where Australia is at in establishing a First Nations voice in the constitution and the next steps to take." -- taken from Description.

The Australian Constitution

The Australian Constitution A resource about the Australian Constitution including its function, history and features. (The Parliamentary Education Office)
Infosheet - The Constitution Information about the Australian Constitution from the Parliament of Australia.

Referendums in Australia

Constitutions and Referendums A bit of history of Referendums and the Constitution in Australia by the National Archives of Australia.
Contsitutional Referendums in Australia: A quick guide. A short guide from the Parliament of Australian on the rules relating to referendums in Australia.
Parliamentary Education Office: Referendums and plebiscites A short fact sheet discussing how a referendum is a vote of the Australian Constitution.
Referendums.. it's been a while. The Australian Electoral Commission explains how referendums work in Australia.
Complete a referendum ballot paper Here is a mock ballot paper by the AEC for those who would like some practise.
Referendum FAQs Some answers to some common questions about Referendums from the AEC.

How to Change the Constitution

In order to make changes to the constitution in Australia, a referendum is required.

Below is a small graphic on some of the steps leading up to a referendum.

Taken from: Parliamentary Education Office under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

Referendum Requirements

In order to change the constitution in Australia, citizens are required to vote in a referendum.

For the referendum to pass the Majority of Australians in the majority of States need to agree to the change.

This is known as The Double Majority.