Insitutek supports the Voice to Parliament

On Saturday 14 October 2023, people from across the lands of Australia will head to the polls; voting on whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

We are living through a moment of immense significance for a country increasingly grappling with its colonial history, and its ongoing impacts.

As individuals, we are being invited to weigh in by giving just a one word answer (yes or no) to a question that carries with it the weight of decades, and the hopes of millions.

Insitutek stands by the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its call for voice, treaty, and truth. We support a ‘Yes’ vote at the upcoming Voice Referendum, recognising that at the core of stakeholder governance is enabling and elevating marginalised voices. We believe a Yes vote is an important step towards a more inclusive and equitable future for our country.

Here are a number of useful resources for you to consider:

Read

• Access the Official Yes/No Pamphlet produced by the Australian Electoral Commission
• The Voice to Parliament Handbook — an easy-to-follow guide for those who want to better understand what a Voice to Parliament actually means
• Passing the Message Stick — a groundbreaking, multi-year research project on how to build widespread public support for self-determination and justice
• Your Questions Answered on the Voice to Parliament [The Conversation]
• Voice Referendum: Understanding the Referendum from a human rights perspective [Human Rights Commission]
• Principles for a respectful referendum from mental health advocates [Black Dog Institute]

Watch

• The Voice Referendum will be held on October 14. Here’s everything you need to know before you vote.
• Voice to parliament | Debunking common myths and misconceptions | Arrilla Indigenous Consulting

Listen

• The Voice Referendum Explained Podcast [ABC]
• It’s official: The Voice Referendum is on [Triple J Hack] — speaking to various First Nations people with different views on the Voice
• Uluru Statement from the Heart — SBS Radio, in consultation with the Uluru Dialogue and Indigenous Law Centre UNSW shares the Uluru Statement from the Heart in various languages

Learn

• Towards Truth — a resource that maps laws and policies that have impacted the lives of First Nations people since 1788
• My voice for my country — explore the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voter participation with AIATSIS
• Fact Check: AAP Fact Check articles on the Voice to Parliament

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