Information about the Voice referendum

Bridget Cama is a lawyer and Co-Chair of the Uluru Youth Dialogue and a Wiradjuri and Pasifika Fijian woman. Bridget shares her knowledge of the process that has led to the proposal for Constitutional Reform and what Australians are being asked to vote on.

You can listen to this episode using the audio player above or by podcast via iTunes or Spotify (or search for “Wide Open Air Exchange” on your preferred podcast platform).

If you have a family member or friend in Sydney who listens to the radio, you might recommend to them that this conversation will be broadcast on 2SER 107.3FM on Monday 9th October at 630pm and Saturday 14th October at 1030am AEDT (on referendum day).

This conversation is intended as an aid for learning about the Voice referendum that’s happening in Australia, asking Australians whether they agree with a proposed alteration to the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice: a body that may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Further resources linked here:

Uluru Statement dot org FAQS page

A paper by Tony McAvoy SC addressing legal issues

Former Chief Justice of the High Court, the Hon Robert French AC, addressing the National Press Club:

Bridget Cama on Tik Tok

@bridget.cama

Where does the call for a Voice come from? A: First Nations people

♬ Blue Moon – Muspace Lofi

And the text of the proposed amendment from the Voice.org.au Fact Sheet:

Referendum question

On referendum day, voters will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on a single question. The question will be:

“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?”

Constitutional amendment

The ‘Proposed Law’ that Australians are being asked to vote upon is set out in the Constitution Alteration Bill. If approved at the referendum, the following words would be added to the Constitution:

Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

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.

Process

  1. Constitution Alteration Bill introduced into Parliament and referred to a Joint Select Committee. Committee reports to Parliament
  2. Parliamentary debate and passage of the Constitution Alteration Bill
  3. Referendum held

If the referendum passes:

  1. Consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the Parliament and the broader public to design the Voice
  2.  Introduce a Voice establishment bill into the Parliament
  3. Once Parliament approves the legislation to establish the Voice, the legislation comes into effect and the work to set up the Voice begins.

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The music featured in this episode is ‘Whiskey Priest’ by Vape Dadz used with permission.