The Federal Government has provided the following information in relation to the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament and referendum that will be taking place in late 2023.
Resources to download
Fact sheet – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
Fact sheet – How will an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice work?
Fact sheet – Referendum question and constitutional amendment
Design Principles of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
Official wording of Voice referendum question
The Federal Government has revealed the exact wording of the referendum question for the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Later this year, people enrolled to vote will be asked: “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 of this proposed alteration?”
The Voice is a body that will:
- provide independent advice to Parliament and Government
- be chosen by First Nations people based on the wishes of local communities
- be representative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- be empowering, community led, inclusive, respectful, culturally informed and gender balanced, and include youth
- be accountable and transparent
- work alongside existing organisations and traditional structures.
The Voice will not have a program delivery function or a veto power. The structure and role of the Voice would be decided by Parliament through legislation, with members to be chosen by First Nations peoples.
Read more about the Yes campaign
Voting in the Voice referendum
The referendum on the Voice will be held between October and December this year – and people will be asked to vote by writing the words ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on the ballot paper in response to the question above (in italics).
You must be enrolled to vote to take part: check your details at check.aec.gov.au. You can enrol at aec.gov.au/enrol or call 13 23 26 for help. Make sure you have a driver’s licence, Australian passport number, Australian Citizenship certificate, Medicare card or someone already enrolled who can confirm who you are (18+ and proof-of-age cards are not accepted).