The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice - also variously referred to as the 'Voice to Parliament', 'Indigenous Voice to Parliament', and simply 'The Voice' - refers to a permanent and independent, representative body for First Nations peoples, which would advise the Australian Parliament and Government on matters affecting the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The resources and information on this page are designed to give an overview of some of the discussions surrounding the Indigenous Voice to Parliament and its establishment.
There are a variety of resources available which aim to help people understand more about the information surrounding the Voice. Take a closer look at the following resources to investigate further.
Voice to Parliament - Behind the News [short video with transcript]
Voice to Parliament - Australians Together
A Voice to Parliament - Deadly Story
Voice to Parliament - Reconciliation Australia
Information and Support on the Voice to Parliament - Support Act
What is the Indigenous voice to parliament, how would it work, and what happens next? - The Guardian
Your questions answered on the Voice to Parliament - The Conversation
Is there enough detail on the Voice to Parliament referendum? Key questions answered - SBS News
Voice to Parliament: Debunking 10 myths and misconceptions - Monash University
Why a First Nations Voice should come before Treaty - The Conversation
Ten questions about the Voice to Parliament - answered by the experts - UNSW Sydney [also The Conversation]
What you need to know about the Voice - ANU Reporter
Indigenous Voice to Parliament: Responding to common concerns about an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice - Australian National University (ANU) First Nations Portfolio
The Voice referendum: Everything you need to know about Marcia Langton's proposed 36 network of Voices across Australia if the Yes vote wins - The Daily Mail
You Ask We Answer: Why can't the Voice to Parliament just be legislated? - ABC News
The Voice to Parliament Referendum: Be Informed - Headspace
Explore the Recognition through a Voice Government website to find more information and resources, including these simple fact sheets:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
Design Principles of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
How would an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice work?
In May 2017, the First Nations Constitutional Convention was held at Uluru. This Convention, and the intense regional dialogues that preceded it, resulted in the adoption of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. This Statement is a unified plea to the people of Australia for constitutional recognition.
Key concepts include constitutional reform, an acknowledgement of First Nations sovereignty, an established voice to Parliament, commitment to truth-telling, and a Makarrata (Treaty) Commission.
In May 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as a representative of the elected government, acknowledged his support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
“I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet. I pay my respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging, and on behalf of the Australian Labor Party I commit to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.”
The Government's commitment to action regarding constitutional recognition for First Nations people, and thus the enshrinement of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament into the Australian Constitution, is the basis for the 2023 Referendum on the issue.
For more information about the the Uluru Statement from the Heart, take a look at 'The Road to Reconciliation' LibGuide page.
The Australian Constitution is the set of rules by which Australia is governed. The only way to change the Constitution is by holding a referendum. It is up to the Australian people to decide whether the Constitution should change.
Part of the Uluru Statement from the Heart focused on the desire for constitutional recognition of First Nations peoples. Achieving this would be a significant step towards reconciliation. Explore this in more detail using the following resources:
Constitutional recognition has a long history. How did we get here? - NITV
Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people - Creative Spirits
About Constitutional Recognition - Australian Human Rights Commission
Constitutional reform: FAQs - Benefits of reforming the Constitution - Australian Human Rights Commission
Why constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples matters for health - Lowitja Institute
Why can’t we just establish the Voice to Parliament through legislation? A constitutional law expert explains - The Conversation
When discussing a topic of contention there is a risk of receiving 'misinformation' or 'disinformation'. While both terms refer to false information, it is important to note the difference between the two.
The terms are defined as:
The following resources take a closer look at these topics with regard to the Voice to Parliament and referendum.
Why is it legal to tell lies during the Voice referendum campaign? - SBS News
Disinformation Register - Referendum Process - AEC
The conversation about Australia’s Indigenous Voice to Parliament is at risk from disinformation and conspiracy theories - Institute for Strategic Dialogue
Linda Burney slams Dutton's "disinformation and scare campaigns" on Voice as debate re-ignites Parliament - National Indigenous Times
How we can avoid political misinformation in the lead-up to the Voice referendum - The Conversation
How Misinformation is Undermining the Voice [audio clip; 5:38 min] - The Wire
Debunking arguments against the Voice to Parliament [video clip; 10:16 min] - SEARCH Foundation
Referendum rules on ticks and crosses are nothing new - AAP Factcheck
Do these Voice to Parliament claims raise an eyebrow? Here's what you can do about it - ABC News
Voice to Parliament No campaigners accused of asking volunteers to spread 'fear and misinformation' - ABC News
Spotting misinformation and disinformation in Australia’s Voice to Parliament referendum - The Strategist (ASPI)
Voice referendum: Lies fuel racism ahead of Australia's Indigenous vote - BBC News
Sorting Fact from Fiction in the Voice to Parliament Referendum - Amnesty International
For a reliable resource which assesses the accuracy of claims made by people involved in public debate - including that around the Voice to Parliament and 2023 referendum - check out the articles on RMIT ABC Fact Check. Other similar sites to investigate for this purpose include AAP Factcheck and AFP Fact Check, which correlate to departments within the Australian Associated Press and Agence France-Presse, respectively.
Q+A (formerly Q&A) is an ABC television panel discussion show that "holds newsmakers and our leaders to account. Q+A brings you lively debate and unpredictable moments as we put questions from the audience to the panel to get you answers on the issues that matter to Australians."
The show focuses mostly on politics, but includes a range of issues relating to current affairs. Questions taken from the audience determine the topics of conversation and debate, and is moderated by presenter Stan Grant.
The following episodes and clips involve questions about the Voice to Parliament and 2023 referendum and the resulting discussions.
Q+A at Garma 2022 [broadcast: 1/8/22; 1:17:27 runtime]
Q+A broadcasts from the Garma festival, which celebrates Indigenous culture and sets the political agenda. [Transcript available]
Panellists: Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians; Yiŋiya Mark Guyula, Independent member for Mulka, NT and Yolŋu elder; June Oscar, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner; Dean Parkin, Director, From the Heart; Mayatili Marika, Rirratjingu Traditional Owner; and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Country Liberal Senator for NT.
The Year of the Voice [broadcast: 30/1/23; 57:59 min]
The first Q+A for 2023 discusses the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. [Transcript available]
Panellists: Craig Foster, NSW Australian of the Year 2023 and Chair of the Australian Republican Movement; Malarndirri McCarthy, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Health; Bridget McKenzie, Nationals Senate Leader; Lidia Thorpe, Greens Senator for Victoria; and Tom Calma, Senior Australian of the Year 2023. With a live performance from William Barton, Multi-instrumentalist, composer, vocalist and producer Queensland Australian of the Year 2023.
The Liberal Party and the Voice to Parliament [broadcast: 20/2/23; 6:50 min]
What is the Liberal Party doing to ensure that it engages in constructive conversations about the Voice?
Panellists: Jelena Dokic, Tennis champion and broadcaster; Narelda Jacobs, Presenter, 10 News First Midday and Studio 10; Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications; David Coleman, Shadow Communications Minister; and Imogen Senior, Plan International Youth Advocate.
The Many Voices on the Voice [broadcast: 27/3/23; 1:1:10 runtime]
The Q+A panel discuss Indigenous recognition, TikTok security risks, and the implications of the AUKUS deal and Australia’s ties with the US. [Transcript available; Video chapters are clearly marked, questions between 27:20 and 56:43 are not Voice-focused]
Panellists: SA Premier Peter Malinauskas, ex-Us Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy, Country Liberal Senator for NT Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, and Greens Senator for WA Jordon Steele-John.
After Q+A: The Many Voices on the Voice [broadcast 27/3/23; 9:11 min (The first 5 minutes of this video discuss the Voice)]
After the broadcast of Q+A, Stan Grant discussed the storage of future AUKUS fleet nuclear waste, TikTok security and the Indigenous Voice to Parliament with the Q+A audience.
Q+A at Garma 2023 [broadcast 7/8/23; 1:00:45 runtime]
Q+A heads to North-East Arnhem Land for a special show from the Garma Festival, Australia's largest Indigenous cultural gathering. Guest host Dan Bourchier speaks with Indigenous leaders on the issues facing their community. [Transcript available]
Panellists: Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians & Indigenous Health Malarndirri McCarthy, Professor of Australian Indigenous Studies Marcia Langton, Yolŋu Elder & Co-Principal of Yirrkala Community School Merrki Ganambarr-Stubbs, Gunaikurnai and Wotjobaluk Journalist & Writer Ben Abbatangelo and Proud Wiradjuri woman & lawyer Taylah Gray
The Voice, Voting, and Visions for Australia [broadcast 2/10/23; 1:06:04 runtime]
A country in flux. The day when Australians vote on whether to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the constitution is fast approaching. And whether the referendum succeeds or fails, our nation will be a different place. Can the divisions that have emerged during this bruising debate be bridged?
Panellists: Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Health Malarndirri McCarthy, Shadow Minister for Immigration & Citizenship Dan Tehan, Founder of Cape York Institute Noel Pearson, Actress & Author Pia Miranda, Director, Centre for Indigenous Training Wesley Aird.
Q+A Live from Adelaide [broadcast 910/23; 1:00:12 runtime]
This week Q+A hits the road, broadcasting live from Adelaide. With just five days until the nation decides if there should be a change to our constitution, Q+A heads to South Australia, where Yes and No campaigners have been focusing much of their efforts. With early voting an increasingly popular option, is there enough time for each side to make their case? [Transcript available]
Panellists: Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas, Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, Liberal Member for Sturt James Stevens, Uluru Dialogue Leadership & APY Artist Sally Scales and Actor Natasha Wanganeen
The Voice Vote and Violence in the Middle East [broadcast 16/10/23; 1:01:07 runtime]
This week on Q+A… Australia after the referendum. On Saturday the nation voted not to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the Constitution. So what comes next? And what does it mean for First Nations people? *Skip to the Voice discussion at 27 minutes. [Transcript available]
Panellists: Former Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman, Liberal Senator for Queensland James McGrath and Creative Director & Author Dee Madigan.
Take a look at other episodes of Q+A which include questions about the Voice to Parliament. Each of these links includes an episode transcript. Each question asked has a time-code included; skip to that time in the video to listen to that particular question.
Australian Politics: Why three MPs are supporting the Uluru statement across party lines - The Guardian [podcast; 27:49 min]
Political editor Katharine Murphy speaks to Labor MP Gordon Reid, Liberal MP Bridget Archer and crossbencher Allegra Spender about the launch of their new Friends of the Uluru Statement group in Parliament House. They discuss the significance of the voice to parliament campaign and the power of creating safe spaces to answer questions on the upcoming referendum.
Mornings Spotlight Forum: Does Australia need an Indigenous Voice to Parliament? - ABC Perth [radio program; 52:30 min]
Later this year every Australian will be asked to vote in a referendum on whether an Indigenous Voice to Parliament should be enshrined in the Constitution. In the latest in-depth Spotlight forum from ABC Perth, presented by Nadia Mitsopoulos, four panellists took to the stage in front of a live audience to make their case, including: Warren Mundine AO; Jacqueline McGowan-Jones; Professor Braden Hill; Cav. Maria Sarceni; and special guest Greg McIntyre SC.
The Minefield: What would a First Nations Voice mean for Australia? - ABC Radio [podcast; 54:07 min] **Skip to 6:40 min for the start of this discussion.
Five years after the historic gathering at the red centre, Anthony Albanese used his election night victory speech to “commit to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full”. Professor Megan Davis joins Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens on The Minefield to discuss some of the obstacles that stand in the way of a constitutional referendum, and how a First Nations Voice might transform the moral fabric of our politics.
ABC News Daily: Divisive or unifying: the Voice referendum - ABC Radio [podcast; 12:43 min] **Transcript included
For First Nations Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, the passing of the Voice bill through the Parliament this week was akin to 'Assimilation Day'. Meanwhile, the Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney described it as a momentous, unifying moment for the nation. So, with such divided views on the referendum within the Parliament, what sort of debate can we expect as everyone prepares to head to the ballot box?
A federal referendum is a national vote on a question about whether part of the Constitution should change. Just like a federal election, all Australian citizens aged 18 and over must vote. For a referendum to be successful, a majority of voters need to vote ‘yes’ nationally, plus a majority of voters in at least 4 out of 6 states. This is known as a double majority.
Australian Electoral Commission
The 2023 referendum surrounding the Voice to Parliament will ask this question:
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 specific alteration to the constitution will be worded in the following way:
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:
there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
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;
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.
Fact Sheet: Referendum question and constitutional amendment
Learn more about referendums through resources from the Parliamentary Education Office and Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
In advance of a referendum being held, the AEC is required to distribute a pamphlet to Australian voters, which details both sides of the issue central to the referendum in question. Specifically, the pamphlet should contain:
The AEC is not responsible for development of the content for each case, nor can they edit, amend, or fact check said content. Learn more about the pamphlet for the 2023 referendum on the AEC website.
The date for the referendum has been set as October 14, 2023. Visit the AEC referendum page to learn more about how it works.
What’s a Referendy, Wendy? A simple guide to the Voice to Parliament Referendum - Youth Affairs Council Victoria
What are the rules for the referendum campaign? - Monash University
How a referendum works — and what it means for the Voice - ABC News
In the lead up to the 2023 referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged Government funding for a neutral civics education campaign to raise awareness of the constitution, system of government, and referendum process. This program is designed to educate the Australian public without taking an official stance on either the 'Yes' or 'No' side of the Voice debate. Said program, and its accompanying website (Voice.gov.au) have been designed to act as an unbiased source of information surrounding the proposal for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
The decision not to provide public funding to either campaign - instead relying on their being funded and run by collections of private groups - also became a topic for debate, as campaigns for or against referendums have received equal Government funding in the past. The following articles take a closer look at this issue, as well as the referendum itself:
Parliament has decided on how the Voice referendum will work. Here's what to expect - ABC News
Voice site set to inform - Federal Government Career
Albanese’s stance against public funding for yes and no voice campaigns backed by Birmingham - The Guardian
Government is spending on neutral education campaign, not on promoting Yes case for Voice referendum - RMIT University
Government urged to fund voice referendum info campaign - The Canberra Times
The official pamphlet to be distributed by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) was published on the 18th of July. [Check out the 'What is a Referendum?' information box to learn more.] Although distributed by the AEC, the pamphlet content for each argument is provided by the parliamentary committees behind the Yes and No cases. The AEC cannot edit, amend, or fact check the content provided to them. Check out the AEC website to learn more about the process involved and access the Official Yes / No Referendum Pamphlet.
On Wednesday, August 30, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese formally announced the date of the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum: Saturday, October 14, 2023. Use the following resources to investigate the media coverage surrounding the announcement, referendum, and impact setting the date has on the Yes and No campaigns.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament referendum set for October 14 - ABC News
The Indigenous voice to parliament referendum day has been announced. But how do you actually vote? - The Guardian
Australia sets date for historic referendum on its First Nations people - CNN
The cases for and against an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice - ABC News
The campaign for the Voice referendum is off and away. Let's take a closer look at the facts - ABC News
What is the Indigenous voice to parliament, how would it work, and what happens next? - The Guardian
This formal announcement heralds six weeks of official campaigning for and against the Voice to Parliament. For more articles about these campaigns in the immediate lead-up to the referendum, check out the 'Referendum Countdown' information box below.
YES vs NO
Perhaps the clearest example of division over the Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal is playing out between the Government in power (Labour Party) and the Opposition (Liberal Party) who have been positioned on opposite sides of the debate. The Greens and Nationals parties have issued media releases affirming their respective stances on both the Voice and the Referendum.
There are a variety of reasons cited for support for or against the Voice to Parliament, and the referendum as a whole. Use the following resources as a starting point to consider the ways the 'Yes' and 'No' campaigns are being presented, and the groups behind them, as well as the differing perspectives on the issue.
From Indigenous recognition to the Voice, and back again - Inside Story
Explained: What is the Indigenous Voice to parliament and what would a referendum entail? - Nine News
The 'Voices' that already exist: Aboriginal executives explain how First Nations advisory works - ABC News
Liberal Party confirms it will oppose the Indigenous Voice to Parliament - ABC News
The Liberal Party’s ‘no’ position on Voice signals it’s primarily interested in speaking to a nation that no longer exists - The Conversation
Voice referendum: who’s behind the yes and no campaigns and how do they plan to convince Australia? - The Guardian
Voice to Parliament referendum triggers different views among Indigenous Australians - ABC News
For a lot of First Nations peoples, debates around the Voice to Parliament are not about a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ - The Conversation
Voice to Parliament: three allies tell us why they’re voting yes - UNICEF Australia
There are 11 First Nations MPs and senators. Here's what they think of a Voice to Parliament - ABC News
Over 100 migrant and cultural organisations back Yes campaign for Voice referendum - SBS News
Meet the 1967 referendum elders grappling with the Voice debate - ABC News
Tasmania may hold the key for either the Voice referendum's Yes or No vote - ABC News
Voice to Parliament: Young First Nations voters have their say, and their views may surprise you - ABC News
The Voice to Parliament referendum asks a simple question, but Australia's answer is complicated - ABC News
The Yes and No campaigns are ramping up with TV ads. What are they saying? - NITV
Why do the Nationals oppose the Indigenous voice and do their arguments stand up to scrutiny? - The Guardian
Ken Wyatt calls on Peter Dutton to give Liberals a conscience vote on the Voice to Parliament - ABC News
Yes or No? Here are the key arguments for and against the Voice - SBS News
Legal experts weigh in on the Voice's two most controversial words: 'executive government' - ABC News
What do they say? Can they be trusted? The Voice pamphlets hitting letterboxes, explained - SBS News
Voice to Parliament referendum pamphlets for Yes and No camps published by AEC - ABC News
The Yes and No arguments have been published without fact checking. Here's what you need to know - RMIT ABC Fact Check
We gave the Voice to Parliament pamphlets to fact checkers. Here's what they said - SBS News
The yes pamphlet: campaign’s voice to parliament referendum essay – annotated and factchecked - The Guardian
The no pamphlet: campaign’s voice to parliament referendum essay – annotated and factchecked - The Guardian
How do the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ cases stack up? Constitutional law experts take a look - The Conversation
The YES Vote
Many organisations are showing support for the 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum. Learn more from these groups, articles, and other resources.
Yes23 - run by the 'Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition,' this campaign is a large part of the 'Yes' vote campaign. Check out their FAQ page for more information on the issues associated with the referendum.
Together, Yes - Victorian Women's Trust
Voice from the Heart Alliance - a network of organisations and individuals supporting the 'Yes' campaign
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament - Mental Health Australia
'This is your business': Uluru Statement leaders launch ad asking Australians to give them a voice - SBS News
First ad for yes vote on Indigenous voice asks all Australians to talk about referendum - The Guardian
Vote Liberal? You should vote yes for an Indigenous voice to parliament - The Guardian
Voice to Parliament: three allies tell us why they’re voting yes - UNICEF Australia
It’s time to listen by saying “Yes” - Unions Australia
The yes pamphlet: campaign’s voice to parliament referendum essay – annotated and factchecked - The Guardian
The NO Vote
Two of the main reasons given for opposition to a Voice to Parliament cite a concern over whether the introduction of the Voice will bring about meaningful change, and a belief that treaty and Indigenous sovereignty should take precedence.
Warren Mundine and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price are two leading figures of the 'No' campaign, having started their respective groups 'Recognise a Better Way' and 'Fair Australia'. In May 2023, these campaign groups were merged to create 'Australians for Unity'.
Take a look at the following articles and resources to discover more about these groups and their perspectives on the Voice debate.
Who is running the Voice to Parliament No campaigns? - ABC News
Lidia Thorpe wants action on treaty and truth before campaigning for Indigenous voice - The Guardian
Voice to parliament no campaign to push for recognition of migrants as well as Indigenous people - The Guardian
Former deputy prime minister John Anderson joins group spearheading “no” campaign on the Voice - The Conversation
Outcry as Australian opposition refuses to back constitutional recognition of Indigenous people - The Guardian
Key 'No' camps merge to form Australians for Unity to strengthen referendum campaign - ABC News
Voice to Parliament: What are the No camps, and who's driving them? - SBS News
The no pamphlet: campaign’s voice to parliament referendum essay – annotated and factchecked - The Guardian
The announcement of the date for the referendum as 14 October 2023, heralds the beginning of the official campaigning period for and against the Voice to Parliament. During this period, topics relating to the Voice, including polling and campaign conduct take a more prominent place in news and current affairs. Take a closer look at articles about these developments using the following resources and keep up-to-date with the ABC and NITV news coverages. For recent opinion pieces, check the 'Further Reading' information box.
Australia sets date for historic referendum on its First Nations people - CNN
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament referendum set for October 14 ABC News
The cases for and against an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice – ABC News
Tasmania may hold the key for either the Voice referendum's Yes or No vote – ABC News
What the Yes and No campaigns are saying about the Voice to parliament – 60 Minutes
The campaign for the Voice referendum is off and away. Let's take a closer look at the facts – ABC News
A bruising week for Indigenous people as the nation debates the Voice and opens old wounds – ABC News
Far from uniting the nation, Australia’s Voice referendum has revealed its priorities and prejudices - CNN
In the region that makes or breaks governments at elections, some say the Voice is not a priority – ABC News
Why the No side is winning – and how Yes could respond – The Sydney Morning Herald
Could the No Voice campaign be winning over Australia’s 'most-progressive' state? – ABC News
New polling shows ‘no’ voters more likely to see Australia as already divided - The Conversation
Indigenous Voice to Parliament rallies draw big numbers across Australia – ABC News
Hundreds of No campaigners rally in Adelaide ahead of Voice referendum – SBS News
No campaign spreads through TikTok ‘like wildfire’ as pro-voice creators struggle to cut through – The Guardian
Indigenous voice to parliament’s Yes campaign ‘not about separatism’, says Noel Pearson – The Australian
Voice referendum polls: what you need to know [video; 3 min] – SBS News
Australia spends less on Indigenous affairs than you think: study – Financial Review
Is it ethical non-Indigenous people get to decide on the Voice? Is it OK for one group to have rights others don’t? An ethicist weighs in – The Conversation
Key question for voters on the Voice – What’s next, if not now? - The New Daily
Your Voice voting cheat sheet: All your referendum questions answered - ABC News
When it comes to Indigenous affairs, Australian voters’ opinions are complicated - The Conversation
OPINION: What I see beyond the Yes vote [Mililma May] - NITV
How to decide to vote Yes or No in Saturday's Voice referendum - The Leader
Keep up-to-date with news coverage surrounding the Voice to Parliament debate.
The ABC News Indigenous portal collects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories from around Australia. The objective of the ABC's Indigenous Department is to 'develop quality primetime Indigenous drama and documentaries. This portal may be used to access a variety of stories and features sourced from ABC radio, news and current affairs, TV, and iview. ABC News offers a specific page to follow coverage of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum, through articles, video, and audio resources.
In partnership with RMIT University, the ABC co-funds a Fact Check which looks at the claims made by those involved in public debate (politicians, public figures, institutions, etc.) and determines their accuracy. Use RMIT ABC Fact Check to investigate what people are saying about the Voice to Parliament and the referendum.
NITV (National Indigenous Television) is an Australian free-to-air television channel that broadcasts programming produced and presented largely by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Access articles, videos, opinion pieces, and news reports, as well as videos, news and analysis relating to aspects of the Voice to Parliament and the scheduled referendum.
"From The Heart is an education project created to show Australians that an Indigenous Voice to Parliament enshrined in the constitution is fair, is practical, and that it is time that we make this change in the interests of our shared future."
From the Heart provides three short explainer videos to help people understand: Indigenous Constitutional Recognition; a Voice to Parliament; and why there needs to be a referendum.
Explore the full range of 'From the Heart' videos and playlists to learn more.
The debate surrounding the Voice to Parliament has had a demonstrable effect on the mental health of First Nations people. These articles discuss this issue and the effects in more detail.
The Voice will spark an improvement in Indigenous mental health, say peak bodies - SBS News
‘Just unfair pressure’: The Voice debate puts First Nations peoples’ wellbeing at risk - News.com.au
Indigenous Mental Health Groups Call on Politicians to Champion Respectful Referendum - Black Dog Institute
Voice campaigns urged to keep mental health top of mind - National Indigenous Times
Mental health services plead politicians to take a 'Respectful Referendum Pledge' amid deteriorating Voice debate - Daily Mail Australia
WA traditional custodians say Voice to Parliament debate has made some people afraid to share views - ABC News
First Nations mental health during the Voice campaign - Dom Barry
First Nations support workers report a rise in racism ahead of Voice referendum - ABC News
Voice referendum: Lies fuel racism ahead of Australia's Indigenous vote - BBC News
The psychological damage wrought by the Voice to Parliament debate [video; 2:30min] - ABC News
Indigenous people deserve so much more than the Voice debate we were subjected to - ABC News
More resources are located on the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet Portal which provides wellbeing resources and tools "aimed at supporting and reducing social and emotional harms to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the period prior to and post the Voice Referendum." Use the following resources to learn more.
First Nations people’s mental health is at risk right now – here are ways to care for yourself and community - The Guardian
Tips on managing stress and anxiety ahead of Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum - ABC News
Minimising Harm in Conversations about the Referendum - Australian Human Rights Commission
Mental health and wellbeing in the lead up to the Voice to Parliament Referendum - Australian National University
7 ways to look after yourself and your community before and after the Voice referendum - The Conversation
Self-Care Tips for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voters During the Voice Referendum - Australian Youth Affairs Coalition
Referendum self-care resources - WellMob [Tips to stay deadly during The Voice to Parliament referendum Factsheet]
Use the resources suggested through the following websites to learn more about the Voice to Parliament and the 2023 referendum.
National Indigenous Australians Agency
Community Independents Project
There are many differing perspectives and opinions on the Voice to Parliament, the 2023 referendum, and the requests made by the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Take a closer look with these opinion pieces:
Don’t paint Indigenous opponents of the Voice as race-baiters [Warren Mundine] - The Centre for Independent Studies
Opinion pieces on Voice, Treaty and Truth [Michael Mansell, Heather Sculthorpe and Maggie Walter] - The Mercury
The Voice to Parliament is a beginning, not an end [Summer May Finley] - NITV
Indigenous voice debate: The voices that must be heard [Megan Davis; Noel Pearson; Janet Albrechtsen; Jacinta Nampijinpa Price; Chris Kenny; Greg Craven; Nyunggai Warren Mundine; Tony Abbott; Marcia Langton; Linda Burney; Peta Credlin; Ken Wyatt; Dennis Shanahan] - The Australian *includes links to the full opinion articles referenced
Despite all the noise from Canberra, Dutton’s vote on the voice will count the same as every other Australian [Dean Parkin] - The Guardian
A First Nations Voice to Parliament: Our plea to be heard [Megan Davis] - ABC
Now it’s up to the people to decide this referendum on the Indigenous voice to parliament [Troy Bramston] - The Australian
Raising Voices Interviews - The New Daily
Why mob are staying silent on the Indigenous voice to parliament [Chelsea Watego] - The Guardian
I remain undecided on the Indigenous voice to parliament. And I'm exhausted [Celeste Liddle] - The Guardian
Indigenous Australians must finally get a say over their fate [Marcia Langton] - Nikkei Asia
Perth activist Megan Krakouer changes mind on Voice to Parliament referendum vote - ABC News
Marcia Langton warns no vote in voice referendum could be ‘mandate to cause us even further harm’ - The Guardian
Marcia Langton says the government must explain what happens if the Indigenous voice to parliament vote fails - The Australian
Even recent history shows why Indigenous Australians need a Voice [Shireen Morris, Constitutional lawyer] - Financial Review
Younger Australians could turn the tide to make the voice a reality [Barrie Cassidy] - The Guardian
Warren Mundine’s daughter says his opposition to voice not ‘morally right’ [Garigarra Riley-Mundine] - The Guardian
For more detailed reading on the issues surrounding the Voice to Parliament, check out these resources from the Australian Government.
Information Booklet: Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a Voice
Indigenous Constitutional Recognition and Representation
Uluru Statement: a quick guide
Final Report on the Referendum Council
Indigenous Voice Co-Design Process (also known as the Calma-Langton report)
Constitution alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023 : This is the speech given BY Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to introduce the amendment bill for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Watch this speech via ABC News.
Dean Parkin: What is a Voice to Parliament and Why It Matters - Social Ventures Australia [22:17 min]
An interview with Dean Parkin (Director of From the Heart) about the Voice to Parliament campaign and upcoming referendum. [Transcript available]
Why Megan Davis remains optimistic about a Voice to Parliament - ABC News [7:55 min]
Constitutional lawyer Professor Megan Davis speaks to Laura Tingle about what the Voice can be, and why she remains optimistic about its future.
Voice To Parliament: Opposition Calls For More Details Ahead Of Referendum - The Project [8:13 min]
The Federal Opposition is ramping up calls for more detail on what an Indigenous Voice to Parliament would actually look like, ahead of this year’s referendum. But, do they know what they want to ensure it's successful? Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Julian Leeser joins The Project to discuss.
Megan Davis: Parliament will have to 'account for' Indigenous Voice - ABC News [15:41 min]
David Speers interviews Professor Megan Davis, co-author of the Uluru Statement From The Heart about the status of the Yes campaign and the Opposition’s concerns.
Opening Keynote Address | Professor Dr Megan Davis - Universities Australia [1:05:44 min]
Professor Dr Megan Davis gives the opening keynote address at the Universities Australia Conference 2023, speaking on the Voice to Parliament.
IN FULL: Australians to vote in Voice to Parliament referendum on October 14 - ABC News [3:07:10 min]
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says has announced October 14 as the date for the Voice to Parliament referendum, asking fellow Australians not to "close the door" on constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians.
Muddy Waters: Renegotiating Australia's Democracy - Four Corners (ABC News) [45:00 min]
The debate around the Voice has been unsettling and confusing for many Australians; trying to navigate the politics has been hard. In this report, the ABC's Voice Correspondent Dan Bourchier and the Four Corners team cut through the confusion to explore what self-determination looks like in different parts of the country, traveling to the north, west and east of Australia talking to people about what this referendum means to them. Dan finds communities ready and willing to say yes to the Voice, and others who are concerned the vote will divide the country. [Includes Transcript]
Established by The Guardian Australia, each episode features questions from listeners being answered by a panel of elders, journalists, constitutional experts, academics and more. Consisting of mostly short (5 minutes or less) videos each focusing on a particular topic related to teh Voice to Parliament, the series is hosted by Walkley-award winning journalist and Ngiyampaa Weilwan woman Laura Murphy-Oates. View the full The Voice AMA playlist on YouTube.
Road to Referendum - SBS News
Designed to present the latest news and balanced perspectives on Australia’s Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, this SBS News playlist consists of a range of videos dealing with different aspects of the Voice and lead-up to the Referendum.
Indigenous Voice to Parliament: The Must-Watch List - Screen Hub
ScreenHub is Australia's leading independent online resource dedicated to film, television, games, and emerging digital forms. This is a collated list of videos, including documentaries, debates, news clips and explainers designed to help learn about the Voice. Be aware that some links may require an account to view content (e.g SBS On Demand, 10Play, ABC iView, etc.)
ClickView
Explore the Voice to Parliament ClickView playlist to see a variety of clips, videos, and programs discussing issues surrounding the Voice; including: Compass;The Point; Living Black; Q&A; Behind the News; and more.
NITV current affairs program The Point will air episodes focused on issues and perspectives surrounding the 2023 Voice Referendum. The Point: Referendum Road Trip is available to view online via SBS* and ClickView (individual episode links below). *Be aware that SBS On Demand requires an account in order to view content
Short clips from this program which explore the people and the issues of the 2023 Voice Referendum campaign may be viewed via Referendum Road Trip: Let’s Get Straight To ‘The Point’.
Episode 1: Join JP and Narelda, and their panel including Bundjalung lawyer and human rights advocate Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, Yes 23 Campaign Director Dean Parkin, and co founder of Media Diversity Australia Antoinette Lattouf, to explore what it means to have a voice, and at what cost?
Episode 2: Waiben (Thursday Island) in the Torres Strait is the first stop in The Point's referendum Road Trip, with a panel of guests including traditional owner Milton Savage, indigenous Marathon Foundation's Elsie Seriat and climate justice campaigner Kabay Tamu. The panel discusses the cost of living crisis on islands throughout Zenadth Kes, the Masig Statement and their continuing fight for self-determination, as well as the impact of climate change. [6/6/23]
Episode 3: The theme of this week's broadcast from the studio is sovereignty - a concept that is often mentioned alongside the Voice to Parliament. The episode will tackle the question of what Indigenous sovereignty is and whether a Voice can extinguish it. Hosts John Paul Janke and Narelda Jacobs are joined by the Australian Republican Movement’s Craig Foster, Wiradjuri and Wailwan lawyer Teela Reid and constitutional law expert Antoinette Latouf and Aboriginal Tent Embassy activist Murrie Coe. [13/6/23]
Episode 4: The Point’s Referendum Road Trip heads to Boorloo (Perth). Hosts John Paul Janke and Narelda Jacobs are joined by a panel of Marianne Headland-Mackay, Nolan Hunter and Heidi Mippy. We discuss the ongoing turmoil in WA’s youth detention centre, and historical traumas continue to impact the community, as the Voice to Parliament debate rages around the nation. [20/6/23]
Episode 5: The Point's hosts Narelda Jacobs and John Paul Janke explore racism and hate in Australia. A panel of special guests includes Human Rights advocate Nyadol Nyuon, Bidjara and Birri Gubba Jura author and academic Dr Jackie Huggins, writer and broadcaster Benjamin Law and National Suicide and Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project Megan Krakouer to unpack Australia’s history of racism, what does it means to be Indigenous in modern Australia and how the media plays a part in the discourse. [27/6/23]
Episode 6: The Point's Referendum Road Trip heads to Rockhampton, on Darumbal land, in Queensland. Airing during NAIDOC week, hear what Central Queenslanders think about the Voice. We discuss Rockhampton’s recent vigilante problem and you’ll get to meet some inspiring Queensland Elders, whose lives are full of friendship and storytelling. [4/7/23]
Episode 7: The Point broadcasts on beautiful Gumatj country with a special stop on its Referendum Road Trip, from the 23rd annual Garma festival, a significant political and cultural Indigenous gathering of thousands of people at the Yolŋu ceremonial site Gulkula, in North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. [8/8/23]
Episode 8: This week The Point's Referendum Road Trip delves into the issue of education, and the role of truth telling in the curriculum with special panel guests Professor Chelsea Watego, CEO of SNAICC Catherine Liddle, Independent Member for Calare, Andrew Gee and Co-Chair of the Uluru Youth Dialogue, Bridget Cama. [15/8/23]
Episode 9: The Point's Referendum Road Trip heads to lutruwita, Bruny Island, to investigate how the voice is being debated and the path forward. [22/8/23]
Episode 10: The Point's Referendum Road Trip stops in at the historic Yorta Yorta Nation, Cummeragunja community on the NSW/ Victoria border, from which a long line of strong political advocacy has emerged. [29/8/23]
Episode 11: The Point's Referendum Road Trip get right back in the political heartland, in the kings at Old Parliament House on Ngunnawal Ngambri Country, as we hurtle towards Australia's first referendum this century. [5/9/23]
Episode 12: As Australia heads to another dangerous summer we consider whether a Voice to Parliament could tap into first nations wisdom and help tackle climate change for all Australians. Unpacking this complex but vital issue are special panel guests: Nyangbal, Arakwal and Dunghutti woman Naomi Moran, CEO of Australia’s only independent Indigenous newspaper, the Koori Mail, and co-chair of First Nations Media Australia; Yuin, Bunurong, farmer and author Bruce Pascoe; Gundungurra activist and conservationist Taylor Clarke; and Yamatji-Noongar woman and Greens senator for WA, Dorinda Cox. [12/9/23]
Episode 13: This week The Point’s Referendum Road Trip stops in Tandanya, or Adelaide, in the lead up to the vote. A panel of experts will discuss how the debate is unfolding in South Australia, which is developing its own First Nations Voice. [19/9/23]
Episode 14: The Point's Referendum Road Trip heads north-west to its last stop: the beautiful, ancient, and mineral-rich lands of Western Australia's Pilbara region. [26/9/23]
Episode 15: Featuring a studio audience of everyday Australians and a panel of experts alongside weekly hosts of The Point, Narelda Jacobs and John Paul Janke, this episode showcases stories from Alice Springs (Mparntwe). The Northern Territory has been in the media glare during the referendum campaign and in this episode, audiences will hear from the NT community about what an Indigenous Voice to Parliament could do for them. [3/10/23]
Episode 16: With just days left until the crucial vote, a panel of key players including Yes campaigner Thomas Mayo join hosts Narelda and John Paul live in studio to discuss all the latest developments and biggest moments of the referendum campaign. [10/10/23]
Episode 17: Australia Decides: Join us for a two-hour television special, where hosts Narelda Jacobs and John Paul Janke and a panel of experts break down the referendum result and what it means for you. [14/10/23]
Episode 18: The Aftermath: A few days after the referendum, join Narelda, John Paul and a panel of experts to unpack what is known of the result and the implications for Australia. [17/10/23]
Episode 19: In the final episode of the year, Narelda, John Paul and special guests discuss the aftermath of the referendum result and recap the biggest moments of 2023. [24/10/23]
We, gathered at the 2017 National Constitutional Convention, coming from all points of the southern sky, make this statement from the heart:
Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes were the first sovereign Nations of the Australian continent and its adjacent islands, and possessed it under our own laws and customs. This our ancestors did, according to the reckoning of our culture, from the Creation, according to the common law from 'time immemorial', and according to science more than 60,000 years ago.
This sovereignty is a spiritual notion: the ancestral tie between the land, or 'mother nature', and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were born therefrom, remain attached thereto, and must one day return thither to be united with our ancestors. This link is the basis of the ownership of the soil, or better, of sovereignty. It has never been ceded or extinguished, and co-exists with the sovereignty of the Crown.
How could it be otherwise? That peoples possessed a land for sixty millennia and this sacred link disappears from world history in merely the last two hundred years?
With substantive constitutional change and structural reform, we believe this ancient sovereignty can shine through as a fuller expression of Australia's nationhood.
Proportionally, we are the most incarcerated people on the planet. We are not an innately criminal people. Our children are aliened from their families at unprecedented rates. This cannot be because we have no love for them. And our youth languish in detention in obscene numbers. They should be our hope for the future.
These dimensions of our crisis tell plainly the structural nature of our problem. This is the torment of our powerlessness.
We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country.
We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.
Makarrata is the culmination of our agenda: the coming together after a struggle. It captures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination.
We seek a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history.
In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.