How will the Voice work?
The Voice would be an advisory committee of Indigenous people from all around our country that can give advice to politicians in Canberra to improve the lives of Indigenous people.
When we listen to people about the decisions that affect them, we get better results.
For the past 250 years, we haven’t properly listened to the people who have been here for 65,000. It’s time we did.
When Parliament or the Government want to improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians in areas like health and education, they'd ask the Voice to come up with the best solutions that will actually work and make a real, practical difference.
Parliament and Government can choose to listen to that advice, or not - and ultimately make the final decision.
It’s a simple and practical way that this referendum can create a better future - together.
Why do we need a Voice?
Australians recognise that Indigenous communities face serious and unique challenges.
There are real gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in life expectancy, infant mortality, health, housing, education and employment.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live eight years less than non-Indigenous Australians.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people commit suicide at a rate two times higher than non-Indigenous Australians.
- Indigenous Australians have the worst rates of disease in the nation, and child mortality is nearly twice that of non-Indigenous Australians.
For decades, politicians have spent billions on programs that haven't fixed problems or delivered meaningful improvements for Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Australians have made the reasonable request to be listened to about their own issues and their own communities, and given a chance to propose their own solutions.
How did we get here?
The idea for a Voice to Parliament was developed over decades and agreed on in 2017 by more than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, nominated by their communities, through the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
More than 80% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people support the proposal.