The Voice to Parliament
The Voice to Parliament is a watershed moment for First Nations people. The University of Melbourne affirm their support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the 'yes' position in the referendum.
The University's Statement of Support for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament
The Australian people will vote in a yes/no referendum on enshrining in The Constitution of Australia an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament and government.
Freedom of enquiry and the free expression of ideas are fundamental to the mission of the University of Melbourne. All members of our community are entitled to engage in robust, evidence-based and respectful expression of their views and the University provides a safe place for expressing differing opinions. The University will continue to contribute to the referendum process by actively facilitating informed public debate. Not everyone will vote 'yes' and we fully respect that.
The Council and the Executive of the University of Melbourne affirm their support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the ‘yes’ position in the referendum, and look forward to the parliamentary process that would follow such an outcome.
Related information
Offering a pathway to constitutional recognition and a mechanism to enact real change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the Voice will be proposed in a national referendum this year. Below are some links to help you stay informed and support your colleagues.
- Indigenous voice co-design process: final report to the Australian Government
- From the Heart: Constitutional recognition course
- Australian First Nations response to the pandemic: A dramatic reversal of the 'gap'
- The Uluru Statement from the Heart
- Resources: how you can support The Voice to Parliament
- Yes campaign