The Australian government is partnering with the Museum of Australian Democracy and the Constitution Education Fund Australia to deliver a civics information program so Australians can "get the facts" ahead of the 2023 referendum to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
The federal government announced on Wednesday evening that it will provide $475,000 to the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) and $1 million to the Constitution Education Fund Australia (CEFA), and the two organisations will jointly deliver a grassroots civics program to provide "accessible, neutral and easy-to-understand information" about the Constitution and referendum processes.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney noted that for many Australians, it will be the first referendum in which they've ever participated.
"It's crucial they have the facts to make an informed decision. Both the Museum of Australian Democracy and the Constitution Education Fund Australia are established and trusted organisations with existing channels that can reach and teach people across the country about the Constitution and referendum processes," she said.
"Delivering this civics program will ensure all Australians can contribute respectfully and knowledgeably to the national conversation about the referendum before voting day."
The last referendum in Australia was held in 1999, meaning that no Australians under the age of 42 will have voted in a referendum before.
The Museum of Australian Democracy has extensive experience in communicating civics information, both through its physical museum at Old Parliament House and its digital channels.
The new funding will "allow them to improve public understanding of the Constitution and referendums by increasing reach and visibility of their existing civics education products through digital channels, libraries and other public institutions around Australia in the coming months", the government said in a statement on Wednesday.
Museum of Australian Democracy director Stephanie Bull said the museum's events, exhibitions and public programs "encourage thousands of visitors to improve their understanding of democracy and give them the skills required to contribute to it".
"This funding will enable MoAD to develop digital content that reaches people across the nation, enabling Australians to actively participate in their democracy," she said.
CEFA is a non-government organisation with "significant experience in civics teaching, particularly on Australia's processes of government, Constitution and constitutional history".
The additional $1 million grant will see CEFA create a range of e-learning materials and digital content to "engage all Australians and enhance their understanding of Australia's democratic systems, the Constitution and voting generally throughout the course of the year".
Constitution Education Fund Australia chief executive Kerry Jones said the organisation welcomes the opportunity to "provide essential information to Australians about the referendum process, the workings of the Constitution and our system of government".
"The Constitution Education Fund Australia will present the information in an attractive and comprehensive format to a wide range of electors."
More information about the referendum is available on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice website and more about the Museum of Australian Democracy and the Constitution Education Fund Australia is available on their respective websites.
The Australian government is also preparing the next phase of the civics information campaign to be launched next month.
