Voice to Parliament

We recognise the that the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum is a significant milestone in Australia’s history.

Bayside City Council has accepted the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and supports a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the constitution.

A Voice to Parliament will give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities a route to help inform policy and legal decisions that impact their lives. 

Council has also resolved to deliver information to assist Bayside electors to understand the importance, purpose and process of the Voice referendum and mitigate misinformation.

In the lead up to the referendum, Council will share information on:

• Importance – Council’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation as expressed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
• Process – Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) information on how to get information on, enrol and vote in the referendum.
• Purpose – Australian Government information on the referendum to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

We also recognise that there is not uniformity of opinion within the community in relation to the Voice and respect everyone’s right to make their own decision on the issue.

Resources on the Voice to Parliament referendum

If you would like to learn more about the Voice, please access the following resources:

• Australian Electoral Commission Referendum 2023 website including the Yes and No pamphlets and how to vote
• Australian Government
• Reconciliation Australia

More information

• Council Meeting 21 March 2023 - Minutes (item is 10.1 Council's position on a First Nations Voice to Parliament)
• Bayside Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
• Indigenous Bayside.

Authorised by Mick Cummins, 76 Royal Avenue, Sandringham Victoria 3191