The Voice to Parliament

Statement from the National Centre for Cultural Competence

The referendum on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament asks us to make one of the most crucial decisions in our lifetime, to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution.

It will create a mechanism for their Voices to be heard in real and practical ways, and to rectify an absence that has always been present.

We acknowledge that a Voice in the Constitution is not everything. It doesn’t preclude the need for Treaty, or Treaties. It won’t instantly fix all the issues such as gaps in life expectancy, over-representation in the justice system and racism, which is evident across all facets of life.

What it will do is honour the rightful place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this land. It will provide a mechanism for First Nations people to give advice to the Federal Parliament, to have appropriate input into laws and policies which affect their communities. It will change the relationship between government and communities and how real and practical change is created and delivered.

The National Centre for Cultural Competence supports a Yes vote. As individuals and a group, we have come to this position after listening carefully and hearing the call for a Voice. We have reflected on what it means for Australia if we don’t stand up and take this opportunity to honour and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their rightful place as the First Peoples of this land.

This webpage is intended to be a hub to help you find resources that will assist you in understanding the issues and to make your own decision.

Statements in support for The Voice across the University 

Faculties, schools and centres across the campus continue to speak out in support of the Voice and the Uluru Statement form the Heart. 

• Faculty of Medicine and Health supports an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
• Indigenous Strategy and Services portfolio supports the Voice.
• Sydney Conservatorium of Music votes to support the Voice to Parliament.
• Business School supports Uluru Statement and Voice to Parliament.
• Sydney Law School endorses Uluru Statement.
• Sydney Environmental Institute supports the Voice to Parliament.
• Discpline of History in support of the Voice.
• The Matilda Centre wholeheartedly supports an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
• The Charles Perkins Centre leadership fully and unequivocally supports the YES vote.
• The Brain and Mind Centre supports a YES vote.
• Faculty of Science strongly support a YES vote to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the constitution. 
• The University of Sydney Academic Board supports a YES vote. 

The following schools, centres and portfolios are also in support of the Voice but have yet to release formal statements:

• School of Chemistry voted to support a Yes vote following a school-wide consultation process.
• The School of Geosciences.

Voices on the Voice

Books on The Voice to Parliament

The Voice to Parliament Handbook, Thomas Mayo & Kerry O'Brien

Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and acclaimed journalist Kerry O’Brien have written an easy-to-follow guide for the millions of Australians who have expressed support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, but want to better understand what a Voice to Parliament actually means.

The Voice to Parliament Handbook answers the most commonly asked questions about why the Voice should be enshrined in the Constitution, and how it might function to improve policies affecting Indigenous communities. It offers simple explanations, useful anecdotes, historic analogies and visual representations. If you are a staff member or student, the e-book is available through the University Library.

The Voice, A Question to the People, co-edited by Lisa Jackson Pulver

Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Services & Strategy, has co-edited this free and digitally available book that aims to promote respectful conversation and informed debate on the referendum. The Voice, A Question to the People examines the evidence and arguments in a non partisan manner to facilitate facts-based dialogue and empower Australians with their voting this October. You can read the full text or download a pdf version here. 

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