Voice to Parliament
Why is this important?
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.
Find Rec Vic, Local Reconciliation Group and community events on our Voice events page.
Referendum Question and Voting Day
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.
Read the Voice design principles in full.
Visit the Australian Electoral Commission for information about how and where to vote.
VOICE Video
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.
'Father of Reconciliation',
Senator Pat Dodson's urgent call for Yes
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?".
VCCOS 'Yes' video launch
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.
Links and Resources
Click on each tab for a range of resources on a First Nations Voice to Parliament and upcoming referendum.
News Updates
- Multicultural support offers hope for a Yes outcome | Rec Vic Co-chair Professor Andrew Gunstone NIT (10 Oct)
- Australia must listen to its First Peoples | Thomas Mayo for the New York Times (9 Oct)
- More than 70 university law professors say Voice not 'not constitionally risky' in open letter | ABC News (6 Oct)
- The Voice Referendum: everything you need to know | ABC News (3 October 2023)
- Early voting begins for Voice Referendum | Aljazeera News (2 October 2023)
- Wurundjeri Corporation takes formal position for Voice | Victorian Aboriginal News (29 September 2023)
- Walk for Yes marches draw big numbers across Australia | ABC News (17 Sept 2023)
- Victorian Aboriginal organisations rally behind the Voice | National Indigenous Times (11 September 2023)
- A message of hope - reflections on advocating for Yes | Professor Andrew Gunstone for NIT (7 September)
- Referendum Date Announcement 14 October | Guardian Australia (30 Aug 2023)
- Australian Electoral Commission releases Yes/No pamphlets | AEC (17 July 2023)
- Parliament passes constitutional alteration bill | Voice Gov (19 June 2023)
- Wathaurung Aboriginal Co-operative supports First Nations Voice to Parliament | ( 27 May 2023)
- Voice Referendum question announced | ABC News (23 March 2023)
- South Australia enacts First Nations Voice to Parliament | State Government South Australia (26 March 2023)
- Community sector groups launch coalition in support of the Voice | Reconciliation Victoria (28 Feb 2023)
- Australian Reconciliation Organisations support the Voice | (18 Feb 2023)
- Voice Crosscheck | RMIT University FactLab
Podcasts
- Referendum Tapes '23 | Victorian Aboriginal News
- Voice Referendum Explained | ABC News Podcast
- Understanding the Voice to Parliament | Charles Sturt University
Fact Sheet and Guides
- Voice to Parliament Fact Sheet (1 Page) | Life Without Barriers
- Plain English Fact Sheet (1 page) | Life Without Barriers
- Referendum Question and Constitutional amendment (1 page) | Voice Gov
- Guide to Talking about the Voice (2 pages) | Yes 23
- Your Referendum Questions Answered | Yes 23
- Voice FAQs Booklet | Victorian Trades Hall Council
- Uluru Statement from the Heart: Easy Read Guide | First Nations Disability Network
- FAQs on the Voice | Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation
- The Voice Referendum FAQs | Federation of Traditional Owner Corporations
- Voice Referendum Facts and FAQs | Multicultural Australia for Voice
- Community Toolkits and Resources | Voice Gov
- Need to Know Resources | Together Yes
Translated Resources
- Uluru Statement Translated | Uluru Dialogue Group
- 45 Translated Language Fact Sheets | Life Without Barriers
- 35 Translate Government Information | Voice Gov
- Yes23 Translated Guides
- Voice Referendum News in Your Language | SBS News
Australian Electoral Commission
- Completing a referendum ballot paper
- Referendum Booklet
- Referendum Booklet (Translated Guides)
- Education Resources
- Yes/No Pamphlets
Videos and Recordings
- VOICE Video | Reconciliation Victoria
- Engaging multicultural communities on the Voice Webinar| Maggolee (27 Sep 23)
- Voice to Parliament with Rueben Berg Education Webinar | Reconciliation Victoria (18 Aug 23)
- Wellbeing and referendum webinar | Narragunnawali Reconciliation Australia
- Conversations About the Voice | Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies, Melbourne Law School
- Noel Pearson address to the National Press Club | ABC News (27 Sep 23)
- Uncle Shane Charles Interview, Rec Vic Co-chair | Brimbank City Council (21 June 23)
- Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien on the Voice to Parliament handbook | The Australian Institute (5 June 23)
- What is the Voice to Parliament? | Yes 23, formerly From the Heart (31 Oct 22)
- Uluru Dialogue Group
- Yes 23 Campaign
- Allies for Uluru Coalition | ANTaR
- Multicultural Australia for Yes
- Kitchen Table Conversations
- Together Yes | Victorian Women's Trust
- Victorian Trades Hall Council | Voice Campaign
- Voice From the Heart Alliance
- Women for Yes | Together Yes and Victorian Women's Trust
- Women for the Voice
- The Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues: Voice to Parliament Special Edition | Public access via Informit
- Organisations with RAPs should support the Voice | Professor Andrew Gunstone for The Journal of Australian Indigenous (June 2023)
- A No vote would be disastrous for Reconciliation | Professor Andrew Gunstone for the Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues (June 2023)
- Understanding the Voice from a Human Rights Perspective | Australian Human Rights Commission
- Indigenous Voice Co-design Process: Final Report | National Indigenous Australians Agency
- Area of Focus: Uluru Statement from the Heart | National Indigenous Australians Agency
- Information Booklet: Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples through a Voice | National Indigenous Australia Agency
- The Voice referendum: how did we get here and where are we going? | UNSW Law Journal
- Uluru Statement: A Quick Guide | Australian Parliament House
- The Voice Referendum FAQs | Federation of Traditional Owner Corporations
- YouGov Poll | NITV Article, May 2023
- Voice to Parliament Polling 2023 | Essential Research (Ongoing)
- Indigenous people 80% for the Voice: Poll | Uluru Dialogue (Jan 2023)
- Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2022 | Reconciliation Australia
Safety and Wellbeing
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.
- 13 Yarn | 24/7 Crisis Support for First Peoples
- YarningSafeNStrong | 24/7 support from Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
- Digital Safety for First Peoples | eSafety Commissioner
- First Peoples Health and Wellbeing | Naarm ACCHO
- First Nations Mental Health support services Department of Health and Aged Care
- Community self-care recourses | NACCHO and the Healing Foundation
- Self-Care tips for First Peoples | Dijirra
- Guide for First Nations Youth | Koorie Youth Council
- Stronger Together | R U Ok?
- Lifeline 13 11 14 | 24/7 Crisis Support
- 5 things allies can do in the lead-up to the referendum Common Ground
- Wellbeing and the referendum | Narragunnawali
- The burden on blak students talking about the referendum in the classroom | Clothing the Gaps resource
What is a Voice to Parliament?
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 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.
- Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution.
- A Makarrata Commission to supervise:
1. Agreement making.
2. Truth-telling about our history.
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.
How will a voice to Parliament work and strengthen First Nations communities?
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.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart
Learn more about the Uluru Statement via Uluru Dialogue Group.
Australian reconciliation peak organisations strongly support the Voice.
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 here.
Voice Referendum Photo Gallery
See Rec Vic, Local Reconciliation Group and community events on our Voice events page.
View highlights from past events below.
Support for the Voice to Parliament
Reconciliation Australia Barometer
Reconciliation Australia has released the 2022 Australian Reconciliation Barometer (ARB), a biennial national research survey which looks at the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider population, and how perceptions affect progress towards reconciliation.
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. However, it is notable that sentiments have softened regarding a Voice and Truth-telling, since 2020.
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 (page 2).
80% support for the Voice: Uluru Dialogue
Uluru Dialogue Group, the peak First Nations body backing the Voice to Parliament, released a report on 27 January 2023, indicating 80 percent of First Nations people back the Voice to Parliament.
The poll, conducted by market research company IPSOS, found 80 per cent of First Nations people would vote yes in a referendum with a further one-in-10 undecided. Only 10 per cent said they did not support the Voice.
The poll also found First Nations supporters of the Voice were confident in that support, with three quarters of yes voters ‘very sure’ about their decision, with the remaining ‘fairly sure’.
Alyawarre woman and Uluru Dialogue co-chair Pat Anderson said the research confirmed the campaign for a First Nations Voice reflected the views of most Traditional Owners as a chance to improve outcomes for First Nations communities.
The poll was conducted from January 20 to 24 2023 and surveyed 300 First Nations people around Australia.
