On Monday, 19 June, the Senate voted to go ahead with the referendum asking Australians if they would support an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Now that Federal Parliament has voted in favour of the Voice, the question will be posed to the Australian public, and if a majority of voters in at least four states vote in favour of the Voice, the change will be enshrined in the Australian Constitution.

Pamphlets detailing both the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigns will now be written by MPs and Senators in coordination with the Australian Electoral Commission. 

About the Voice 

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice is a proposed change to the Australian Constitution that will be put to the Australian public through the question:

“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

If Australia votes in favour of the proposed law, the following words would be added to the Australian 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:

i. There shall be a body, 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.”