Voice to Parliament Referendum 14 October 2023.

Australians will be voting on Saturday 14 October 2023 on whether to change our Federal Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.  

We will be asked to vote “Yes” or “No” on the following question in the ballot paper:

“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?”

For the referendum to be successful, there must be both a national majority of voters voting “Yes” and a majority of voters in at least 4 out of the 6 states (ie NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia) voting “Yes” to the above question.

If the referendum is successful, a new chapter and section will be inserted into our Federal Constitution as follows:

“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:

    (i) there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;

    (ii) 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;

    (iii) 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.”

Over the last few months, we have been providing information on the Voice and the Referendum in our newsletters. It is not too late to find out more if you still need more information to make a decision.

For further information on the Voice to Parliament and the Referendum, you can visit https://voice.gov.au/ and https://aec.gov.au/referendums/ including to access a copy of the official referendum booklet.