Detail provided on constitutional reform, guiding principles as wording of Voice referendum question is announced

Callan Morse Published March 23, 2023 at 10.55am (AWST)

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The exact wording of the referendum question for a Voice to Parliament and associated proposed constitutional amendments have been announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Referendum Working Group. Image: Alex Ellinghaussen.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has provided detail on the constitutional reform and guiding principles associated with a Voice to Parliament, should this year's referendum on a constitutionally enshrined Voice be successful.

The detail was provided as part of a press conference held by Mr Albanese and the Referendum Working Group Thursday, where wording of the question that will be asked of the Australian public as part of the Voice referendum to be held towards the end of 2023 was announced.

Similar to the draft Mr Albanese announced at last year's Garma Festival, the wording asks Australians to consider whether they agree that a new chapter of the Australian constitution be added, titled "Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples".

In an emotional speech, Mr Albanese said a vote in support of the Voice would help improve the lives of First Nations Australians.

"(The Voice) will help governments and parliaments make better decisions and achieve better outcomes," Mr Albanese said.

"And we urgently need better outcomes, because it's not good enough where we're at in 2023.

"Every Australia wants us to close the gap and today points the way to how we are going to do it. By consulting people on the ground, by working with people who live alongside those challenges, by enshrining a Voice in our constitution and by listening to that Voice."

Mr Albanese became emotional at multiple stages throughout the press conference. Image: Martin Ollman.

The proposed addition to the Australian constitution is as follows:

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

1. There shall be a body to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

2. 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.

3. 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.

In constitutionally enshrining an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, the three statements would be underpinned by guiding principles that have been developed by the Referendum Working Group and adopted by cabinet.

During the press conference both Mr Albanese and Indigenous senior counsel and referendum working group member Tony McAvoy outlined the principles to "eradicate fears" that might be held about the proposed advisory body.

"A, The Voice will give independent advice to the Parliament and Government," Mr McAvoy said.

"B, it will be chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people based on the wishes of local communities. C, it will be representative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, gender-balanced and include youth.

"D, it will be empowering community-led inclusive, respectful and culturally informed. E, it will be accountable and transparent. F, it will work alongside existing organisations and traditional structures."

Mr McAvoy noted two more key points:

"G, it will not have a program delivery function. And, H, it will not have a veto power," he said.

Prime Minister Albanese and the Referendum Working Group received applause as they left the press conference after announcing the wording of the Voice referendum question. Image: Alex Ellinghaussen.

On behalf of the Referendum Working Group, Mr McAvoy said "close attention" should be paid to the Voice's design principles.

"This is how we set out where the Voice should go," he said.

Senator and Referendum Working Group member Patrick Dodson said the work done by government and Indigenous representatives following the adoption of the Uluru Statement from the Heart gives hope for First Nations Australians.

"The words that ring in my head from the Uluru Statement is the tyranny of our dispossession," Senator Dodson said.

"And today is a clear example where the Government and the Aboriginal leadership here have laid the foundation to actually give hope.

"To give hope to the reversing of that tyranny because a successful referendum will give the Aboriginal peoples a Voice to the Parliament and to the executive on matters that affect them."

Mr Albanese said the government will introduce legislation with the Voice referendum question wording to Parliament next week.

A joint parliamentary committee will also be established to consider the wording of the referendum question and receive submissions before a parliamentary vote will be held on the final wording in June.