Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament Referendum

'Yes' vote

The 'Yes' campaign asserts the Voice to Parliament enables self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, providing opportunities to inform policy and legal decisions that directly impact them. Embedding this in the constitution would give distinct recognition to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people which couldn't be reversed by future governments.

Watch the video (1:06) below that invites all Australians to join in and work with First Nations people in a movement for better future, and to support a Yes vote in the referendum.

Key resources

The Library has gathered resources to inform Deakin community members of the 'Yes' vote. Explore the resources below for information and perspectives why individuals and groups are supporting the 'Yes' vote.

• Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition
  This is the definitive website for the 'Yes' campaign. It outlines the importance of voting 'Yes' and what it would mean to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
   
• Reconciliation Australia: Support a Voice to Parliament
  Reconciliation Australia elaborates further on what a Yes vote is and how it will benefit First Nations People.
   
• Why Megan Davis remains optimistic about a Voice to Parliament - ABC (8 minute video)
  Over the past five years constitutional lawyer Professor Megan Davis has been involved in the development the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. She spoke with Laura Tingle on ABC 7.30 about what she thinks the Voice can be, and why she remains optimistic about its future.
   
• Universities Australia 2023 Opening Keynote Address (1 hour video)
  Keynote address at Universities Australia in 2023 was delivered by Professor Megan Davis. Professor Megan Davis is Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous at University of NSW, a constitutional lawyer, and a leader on constitutional reform for First Nations peoples. She is Co-Chair of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
   
• Voice referendum: who’s behind the yes and no campaigns and how do they plan to convince Australia?
  A Guardian article talks about the yes campaign which is driven by three groups with a shared history and it is as follows: The Uluru Dialogue, From the Heart, Uphold and Recognise.
   
• Finding the heart of the nation: the journey of the Uluru Statement from the Heart continues (book, 2022, 2nd edition)
  Thomas Mayo shares voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and what makes the Uluru Statement from the Heart so important.