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What is a Voice to Parliament? Why do we need a Voice to Parliament? Why do we need a referendum? What will the question on the ballot paper be? Where did the idea of a Voice come from? What is Constitutional recognition? Who will be the members of the Voice? What powers will the Voice have? What is the NIAA? There is so much disinformation in the media, how can I be sure that what I am hearing or reading about the Voice is true? When will the referendum be? How can I support the Voice? Where can I learn more?

Where did the idea of a Voice come from?

Answer

The idea of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament has been around for decades - but the current version was developed in detail throughout consultation with thousands of First Nations peoples across the country, and finalised at the National Constitutional Convention held at Uluru in 2017.

This culminated in the Uluru Statement from the Heart - an open invitation to all Australians to walk together with First Nations peoples towards a fair and unified future.

The three aspirations of Indigenous Australians set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart are:   

  • a right to be consulted about decisions which affect them.  
  • a right to truth telling  
  • a right to treaties. 

You can download a copy of the Statement here: