A Voice to Parliament

You will probably have heard about the Voice to Parliament in the media, in discussions with family and friends, and even in some of your classes on campus. A referendum will be held later in 2023 in which Australians will have their say on an amendment to the Constitution that would recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia.This will be enshrined in the Constitution through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, an independent body that will represent First Nations people and advise the Australian Parliament and Government.

There is a lot of varying, sometimes confusing information available about what the Voice is, what it will involve, and what is required of Australians in the lead up to the referendum. This Library guide seeks to provide a balanced and objective overview of the the Voice referendum, including the contextual and historical background behind the Voice. The information contained in the guide and the resources will help to ensure that you know what you need to do, and to provide you with the awareness and knowledge to be able to make an informed decision when you vote in the referendum.

The Australian Government has provided the following fact sheet on the Voice to Parliament: