Later this year a compulsory national vote on a question about a proposed change to the Australian Constitution, a referendum, will be held to decide upon the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. Importantly these new changes will formally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia.
A new Chapter (IX) and Section (129) will be inserted into the constitution as follows
Chapter IX- Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Section 29 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander VoiceIn 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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.
DevelopingEM supports the position statement of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine on the Voice to Parliament.
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) supports a Voice to Parliament and Declaration of recognition in the Australian Constitution for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to help drive urgently needed changes and provide a clear and practical way forward for self-determination, as an essential step in the nation’s reconciliation journey.
DevelopingEM supports the Explanation of the referendum and the Voice to Parliament detailed by Reconciliation Australia.
A Voice to Parliament will give Indigenous communities a route to help inform policy and legal decisions that impact their lives. Giving people a say will lead to more effective results.
This video from the Reconciliation Australia website provides an excellent summary of the value of the constitutional changes proposed and also addresses some of the common concerns with change.
DevelopingEM supports the Voice to Parliament
Thanks for your time and keep an eye on our social media for more resources related to the referendum.
Yours Sincerely,
Mark Newcombe and Sanj Fernando.Co-Directors of DevelopingEM Ltd.
