We are supporting an Indigenous Voice to Parliament

The Faculty of Medicine Executive Team are supporting the proposal to enshrine in the Constitution an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Professor Geoff McColl

Professor Liz Eakin

Professor Nick Shaw

Marni Jacoby

We invite you to share this historic legacy with us by supporting a 'yes' vote at the upcoming referendum. To learn more about this topic we have compiled some useful resources below.

What is the referendum?

The only way to change the Australian Constitution is by holding a referendum - you can find out more by visiting the AEC Referendums page. All Australians enrolled to vote will be asked to vote on a proposal to amend the Constitution to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. The proposed question wording put forward is:

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?

Next steps

The proposed question and constitutional amendment will be debated in Parliament at the end of March 2023
The Parliament will vote on the wording no later than June
The referendum "public vote" will be held at a date between October and December 2023
A referendum is only passed with a 'double majority' - that is, a majority of voters across the nation as well as the majority of voters in the majority of states vote in favour of the referendum question

Where can I learn more about this topic?

I also want to show my support - what can I do?

We have compiled a suite of resources that you are welcome to use:

Adding statement of support when giving the Acknowledgement of Country - adding your statement of support for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament when giving the Acknowledgement of Country address is a great way to promote awareness and advocate for 'yes' vote in the upcoming referendum. You can also include a presentation slide after The Acknowledgement of Country slide when giving presentations.

Email banner for signature block - download an email banner image to use in your signature block

Buy a t-shirt (and proudly wear it to work) - you can purchase an Uluru Statement from the Heart t-shirt from The Iconic
The Uluru Statement resources - The Uluru Statement Supporters Kit steps through how you can help us spread the message of the Uluru Statement and encourage other Australians to accept the invitation.

Yes 2023 resources