First Peoples Voice to Parliament is the first reform called for in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
This is a constitutionally enshrined body of First Nations People with a direct line to Federal Parliament, able to influence laws and policies that affect First Nations communities. A constitutional Voice is both symbolic and substantive recognition.
Read Reconciliation Victoria's position statement on the Voice to Parliament.
The referendum is on Saturday, 14 October 2023.
We will be asked to vote on 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 write ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on the ballot paper to a single 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?”
Read the proposed constitutional amendment.
Learn more on the Voice design principles.
Visit the Australian Electoral Commission for information about how and where to vote.
On 12 September, Senator Pat Dodson and Special Envoy for Reconciliation and Implementation of the Uluṟu Statement and Senator for WA, made an urgent at the National Press Club.
Senator Dodson said the day after the referendum Australians will "have a look in the mirror" and ask themselves of the result: "How is this going to impact your kids and yourself going forward?".
"Are we going to go backwards? Cop more of the same? Are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people going to be at the table or picking up the crumbs? As we have been for the last 200 years,".
In strong support of a YES vote at the upcoming referendum, Reconciliation Victoria has launched its VOICE Video.
The video reinforces Reconciliation Victoria’s position on a constitutionally enshrined First Nations' Voice to Parliament and our full support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
We encourage all Reconciliation Victoria supporters and members to get behind First Peoples, make all our voices heard, and vote YES for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations’ Voice to Parliament.
Our VOICE video was produced by Little Rocket First Nations' Creative Agency.
The three key components of the Uluru Statement from the Heart: The Painting, The People and the Statement.
The Uluru Statement is an invitation from First Nations Peoples issued to all Australians on 27 May 2017. It calls for legal and structural reforms to reshape the relationship between First Nations Peoples and the Australian population.
The statement calls for two substantive changes:
Voice and Makarrata.
A Voice will mean the commonwealth government will have better quality information about First Nations communities and issues, delivered directly by First Nations Peoples themselves.
More accurate and detailed information from communities themselves will result in better quality laws and policies, improving the delivery and allocation of services and resources, and improving outcomes in all closing the gap areas, including health, housing, criminal justice, employment and education.
Out of the 79 Local government councils in Victoria, this list shows councils who have publicly supported a First Nations constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament or the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
This list is regularly updated, if your council has changed it's support, please contact us.
On 27 September, Maggolee invited all local Victorian councils to join the webinar: Engaging Multicultural Communities on the Voice.
Reconciliation Victoria CEO, Nicole Findlay, was joined by special guests Maria Dimopoulos AM and Shankar Kasynathan, National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice Adjunct Senior Research Fellows, Federation University.
Learn more about Roads to Reconciliation - Activating Multicultural Victoria.
Brimbank City Council launched the "Together Yes" campaign supporting the Voice to Parliament in July 2023.
Speaking about the Yes campaign, Co-Chair of Reconciliation Victoria Uncle Shane Charles said “It’s an opportunity for us to be recognised in the constitution. It’s an opportunity for all Australians to walk together with First Nations people.”
The Voice Referendum can be a difficult time for First Peoples and allies. Different opinions about the Voice, could lead to difficult conversations with family, friends and colleagues.
Sadly too, some people will express racist or negative views about First Nations peoples on social media and other channels. These conversations may cause additional stress for some people.
If talk of the Voice is affecting your wellbeing, it is important to know there is support available.
The Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) and Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. (VACCHO) have partnered to make a pro-Voice campaign video for the Victorian community sector.
The video leans into the complicated history of previous First Nations 'voices' to Parliament, to underline why it's critical any new Voice is enshrined in the Constitution.
Read VCOSS's statement in support of the Voice.
See highlights from past events in the image gallery below.
Reconciliation Victoria hosted our first Maggolee webinar on Victorian local government support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The webinar discusssed what actions local governments are taking to support the Uluru Statement, the From the Heart campaign (now Yes 23) and how councils can inform constituents about the Voice referendum.
When it comes to the key proposals for a First Nations Voice to Parliament, Australians widely believe the reforms are important, including 60% in the general community who think giving First Nations people a say is very important.
The vast majority also think it’s important for Constitutional changes to establish a First Nations representative Body and to protect that Body. And, most Australians (69%) believe such reconciliation efforts are the responsibility of all Australians. (pg. 2). Read the report.
Reconciliation Victoria, alongside peak reconciliation organisations across the nation have aligned in strong support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament.
Read the Australian Reconciliation Network (ARN) joint statement.
From the Heart (now Yes 23) began as an education project created to show Australians that a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the constitution is fair, is practical, and that it is time for all to make the change for a better shared future.
Click on each tab for a range of resources on a First Nations Voice to Parliament and upcoming referendum.
News Updates
Podcasts
Fact Sheets and Guides
Translated Resources
Videos and Recordings
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria, and recognise First Peoples continuing connection to lands, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present who carry the memories, traditions, cultures and aspirations of First Peoples, and who forge the path ahead for emerging leaders.
We dedicate ourselves to working respectfully with and guided by First Peoples, and to listen and amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in all areas of work
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Please note this site may contain images, voices and mentions of people who have passed.
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