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                    Voice to Parliament

                    Voice to Parliament


                    The City of Melbourne is committed to a reconciliation journey between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples, and to recognising First Nations people in the Australian Constitution.

                    This is why we supported the Voice to Parliament.​

                    ​We know that many First Nations people will be hurting and reflecting following the result of the referendum on 14 October 2023.

                    The Voice to Parliament aimed to build a different way forward in partnership with First Nations people.

                    While the decision has been made by Australians not to proceed with the Voice, we note the overwhelming majority of support for the Yes vote in Melbourne.

                    We will do what we can as a city to uphold our collective promise to Australia’s First People.

                    We’ll continue to listen to and elevate First Nations voices and take action towards recognition and reconciliation.

                    As Melburnians come to terms with this referendum result, we ask you to please act with compassion and care. As always, prejudice, discrimination and racism have no place here.

                    If you need support, call Lifeline (13 11 14). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can also call 13 YARN (13 92 76).​

                    ​Authorised by Sally Capp in Melbourne on behalf of Melbourne City Council.​

                    ​Un​ders​tanding the Voice to Parliament

                    ​​On Thursday 21 September, we held a free event at Melbourne Town Hall called ‘Understanding the Voice to Parliament’. We heard from a panel of experts and First Nations community leaders on what the Voice is, why it’s important and what the outcome of this referendum means for our nation’s future.

                    Moderated by Tasneem Chopra OAM, our panel featured the following speakers:

                    • Noel Pearson
                    • Jill Gallagher AO​
                    • Dr Shireen Morris
                    • Marcus Stewart
                    • Uncle Andrew Gardiner.

                    Mitch Tambo ended the night with a stellar musical performance.

                    Watch our livestream of the night below.​​​

                    ​​Authorised by Sally Capp in Melbourne on behalf of Melbourne City Council.

                    Resources

                    Referendum

                    ​To change the Australian Constitution, a referendum has to be held to seek the approval of Australian voters.   

                    ​Learn about the referendum process, and role we each play. If you are enrolled to vote, then you must vote in the upcoming referendum.  

                    2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart

                    The Uluru Statement from the Heart is the culmination of 13 Regional Dialogues with First Nations people which arrived at a consensus about what constitutional recognition should look like. The Statement is an invitation from First Nations people to all Australians. One of its key features is to ask Australians to support meaningful constitutional recognition through providing a First Nations Voice. 

                    Voice to Parliament

                    ​The proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice will be an independent advisory body made up of Aboriginal Torres Strait ​Islander people, chosen by local communities.  

                    ​It will make representations to the Australian Parliament and Executive Government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

                    City of Melbourne FAQs

                    ​Council says ‘yes’ to the Voice to Parliament

                    On 21 March 2023, Melbourne City Council endorsed a motion (PDF 199 KB)​ in support of the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, and the ‘yes’ campaign for the Constitutional Recognition of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

                    Council also resolved to take a leading role in promoting respectful dialogue at a time when public debate about the Voice to Parliament may be damaging to the health and wellbeing of members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

                    We know that not everyone will agree with our position, but we believe we cannot be a city for all people unless all people have a say in decisions that impact them – and the intent of the Voice is to provide a clear avenue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have that say.

                    Council is committed to fulfilling our role and accepting our responsibilities in the journey to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities​, and we believe that the Voice to Parliament is a significant and important step in this journey – one we hope all of Australia can take together.