It is planned that on Saturday, 14 October 2023 Australians will have their say in a referendum to include in the Australian Constitution the authority for those citizens who claim Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, to have special facility, in the governance of Australia, through a mechanism called The Voice.
Why is it that when our constitution, is so outdated, are we focusing on just one tiny portion - has yet to be explained.
On 21 May 2022 leader of the Labor Party Anthony Albanese MP, as a consequence of the Labor Party's success in winning enought seat in the House to form a government, committed in his election night speech to this constitutional process.
Anthony indicated the proposal would be designed to achieve ONE of the objectives of the Uluru Statement from the Heart .
On 30 July 2022, at the Garma Festival Anthony Albanese as Prime Minister announced his draft referendum question and draft words proposed to be added to the Constitution.
On 17 August 2022, a meeting of Indigenous affairs ministers from all states and territories and the Commonwealth agreed to support the Government’s proposal for The Voice.
On 29 September 2022 The Government's Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP announced the appointment of two First Nation referendum advisory groups.
A third group, the Constitutional Expert Group, was also established to provide legal support to the Working Group on the:-
These three groups have met regularly and reported on the outcomes of their discussions.
On 3 February 2023 National Cabinet signed a statement of intent to work collaboratively to support The Voice
On 30 March 2023 the new Labor Government introduced the Constitution Alteration Bill into Parliament. A Joint Parliamentary Committee was selected to consider the Bill. and prepare a report to Parliament. The report is was delivery by 15 May 2023. The Committee recieved submissions from the public about thier views on the Bill. It closed on the COB Friday 21 April 2023.
Over 3000 submission were recieved. However, for reasons not provided, the Committee elected to only consider 269 even though rejected submissions complied with the Terms of Reference
You can review the progress on the Constitution Alteration Bill here.
The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) is the lead agency in preparation of the nation for the referendum by
You can contact the NIAA by emailing: Referendum@niaa.gov.au