When we listen to people, and make decisions based on their local knowledge, we get better outcomes. 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.

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.

In 2017, after many years of work in every part of the country, nearly 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and elders called for a Voice to Parliament through the Uluru Statement from the Heart

Putting the Voice in the constitution means it can always be improved but never thrown away. 

Over decades, dozens of Indigenous representative groups have been established and then removed or defunded by changing Governments and bureaucratic agendas. Putting the Voice in the Constitution protects it from politics, giving it the time, security, and independence that it needs to provide meaningful and honest advice. 

Polls show over 80% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders support a Voice to Parliament. 

Major indigenous health bodies are also supporting the Voice, including leading health groups such as the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners.

The Idea of a Voice came from Indigenous Australians. In 2017, after many years of work in every part of the country, nearly 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and elders called for a Voice to Parliament through the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The Voice would be an advisory committee. Parliament or the Government can ask the Voice for solutions that will actually work to make a real, practical difference in areas like health, education and employment. 

Parliament and Government can choose to listen to that advice, or not - and ultimately make the final decision. 

Read more here.

Members of the Voice will be chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities from across Australia. They will be chosen from each of the states, territories and the Torres Strait Islands. The Voice will have balanced gender representation and include youth representatives. Members will serve on the Voice for a fixed period of time.

The proposed amendment to the constitution is straightforward and simple. You can read it here.