The reconciliation process has been running for decades and a key moment came at a historic meeting of First Nations people from across the country at the First Nations’ National Constitutional Convention in 2017.
As many as 250 Indigenous representatives from all around Australia met at Uluru and after many days of discussion, reached a joining together of a 440-word statement, now known as the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
There are three objectives: 1. Voice to Parliament; 2. Treaty; 3. Truth-telling.
For many months, representatives of First Nation communities from around Australia have discussed what the wording for the Voice referendum question should be.
So far, a proposed law is: “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?”
To make YOUR voice matter, you need to vote and say YES or NO if you are 18 years or older. But you must be enrolled with the Australian Electoral Commission (the AEC) to be heard.
The ability to vote has not always been possible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the generations who have walked the path before had to fight hard for the right to be heard, and to vote!
Indigenous voting campaign badge. From the National Museum of Australia.
IBN is working with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to assist our members to be enrolled so that your voice can be heard too.
The Referendum is coming later this year to ask everybody about how they want to vote, so if YOU want to make your voice matter, you must ENROL if you are not already.
The Voice would provide permanent representation and recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution around matters of social, spiritual and economic wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Go into an IBN office to collect the form to enrol or seek assistance from a Field Officer who can directly link you with a representative from the AEC to help you.
The AEC link for information and assistance is www.aec.gov.au or phone 13 23 26.