The Voice – our position

The Australian Democrats support The Voice and will promote adoption of the proposed amendment to the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to establish a new body that represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia which will have input into the decisions, policies and laws made by the Parliament and the Government.

This position was officially endorsed by the National Executive of the Australian Democrats 5.4.2023


Here is the question:

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?

The detail:

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

  1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice; 
  2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
  3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.”

The Prime Minister’s words in support of the referendum:

Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in our Constitution is the best chance this country has had to address the injustices of the past and move Australia forward for everyone, and the best way to do this is to give people a voice.

For 122 years our nation’s founding document has failed to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and their more than 65,000 years of continuous connection to this vast land.

In order to update our Constitution we need to hold a referendum where every Australian will get to have a say on the proposed change.

This referendum will give Australians the chance to write a new chapter into our Constitution.

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