There is a lot of information available on the upcoming Voice referendum. Below are a list of sources to help you understand what the Voice to Parliament is, why we're having a referendum and what will happen if Australians write Yes on 14 October. 

Just the facts and details: 

  • Australian Government, Information booklet: Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a Voice - https://voice.gov.au/resources/information-booklet
    This comprehensive site has information on what the constitution is, what a referendum is, what the Voice would be able to do, and the mechanisms by which it will be set up. This resource has audio recordings of the information in several different languages, too.

  • National Indigenous Australians Agency (2023), Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice - https://www.niaa.gov.au/indigenous-affairs/referendum-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-voice
    This page has simple government information on the Voice, including the referendum question and the section that will go in the constitution, should the referendum succeed.

  • Australian Government (2023), Voice Principles - https://voice.gov.au/about-voice/voice-principles
    These are the design principles which will guide what the Voice looks like, should the referendum succeed.

  • ABC News In-depth (2023), YES or NO? Everything you need to know about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. News explainer story (14 mins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCnv3G0rDLo
    Talks about the referendum, how it will work, why we are having a referendum, what the voice would look like and some of the arguments on either side. 

The Story of the Uluru Statement, the Voice and the journey to constitutional recognition:

  • Dean Parkin (2018), The Uluru Statement From The Heart - an idea whose time has come, Ted Talk (18 mins) https://www.ted.com/talks/dean_parkin_the_uluru_statement_from_the_heart_an_idea_whose_time_has_come
    This Ted Talk tells the story of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, including the regional dialogues leading up to the National Constitutional Convention where the Statement was created.

  • Shireen Morris (2018), Radical Heart: three stories make us one.
    Shireen Morris was an advisor for Noel Pearson in the years leading up to the National Constitutional Convention. This book tells the story of the Voice right from its inception. She recounts specific conversations and meetings with constitutional experts, politicians and First Nations leaders, all of which helped shape the idea. 

Where it all started - the Uluru Statement from the Heart

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a gift to the Australian People. It was created at the Constitutional Convention in 2017, which brough together 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and elders from across the country. 

Resources in languages other than English

You can download a two-page pdf of this document here.

Musical resources

Music song and dance has always been a very important part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life and customs.

Here are some videos and musical resources about the Voice campaign to share.

  • Music and resources from our community
    • Walk Together Now - music and lyrics by Chris Anderson
      At the recent Voice Sprint launch event all attendees joined in with Chris to sing this song.

    • Beneath the Southern Cross - Peter Branjerdporn
      Peter wrote this song (with the help of Michelle McDonald) to soften people's hearts towards the First Nations Voice to parliament. The song is offered in love and humility to every Australian. Please feel free to share for people to use with or without modifications in presentations, conversation and workshops anywhere. It is unbranded so that any community or church group can use it.

    • Let’s Say Yes! - Cath Mundy and Jay Turner
      Cath and Jay have donated this song to all Yes23 campaign groups/individuals for their use in campaigning for and supporting the YES VOTE. The song is designed to be super-easy to learn with a part for everyone, even people who say they can't sing.

  • Public profile
Authorised Devett Kennedy, Queensland Community Alliance, 300 Ann Street Brisbane

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  • Emily Kain
    published this page in Voice Resources 2023-09-03 13:22:45 +1000