Voting Resources

Information about the Voice Referendum

Saturday 14th October 2023

Early Voting at MVAC - Wednesday 4th October

This page has been created to assist our MVAC community in staying informed about the upcoming referendum. We have curated information from various sources, including the official Australian Government website and others. Our objective is to provide you with access to information and resources to help you make an informed vote. Our intention is to promote voter education rather than advocate for any specific side of the referendum.

What is the Voice Referendum all about?

On Saturday, 14 October 2023, Australians will have their say in a referendum about whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.


Voters will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on a single question.

The question on the ballot paper will be:


“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.


Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

This information is taken from the official Australian Government Voice Referendum Website

The Australian Government's proposal

The following information is taken from the Official Australian Government Voice Referendum website outlining the proposal for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice.

What would the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice do?

  • The Voice will give independent advice to the Parliament and Government

    • The Voice would make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

    • The Voice would be able to make representations proactively.

    • The Voice would be able to respond to requests for representations from the Parliament and the Executive Government.

    • The Voice would have its own resources to allow it to research, develop and make representations.

    • The Parliament and Executive Government should seek representations in writing from the Voice early in the development of proposed laws and policies.

  • The Voice will be accountable and transparent

    • The Voice would be subject to standard governance and reporting requirements to ensure transparency and accountability.

    • Voice members would fall within the scope of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

    • Voice members would be able to be sanctioned or removed for serious misconduct

  • The Voice will work alongside existing organisations and traditional structures

    • The Voice would respect the work of existing organisations.

How would the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice be set up?

  • The Voice will be chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people based on the wishes of local communities

    • Members of the Voice would be selected by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, not appointed by the Executive Government.

    • Members would serve on the Voice for a fixed period of time, to ensure regular accountability to their communities.

    • To ensure cultural legitimacy, the way that members of the Voice are chosen would suit the wishes of local communities and would be determined through the post-referendum process.

  • The Voice will be representative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, gender balanced and include youth

    • Members of the Voice would be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, according to the standard three part test.

    • Members would be chosen from each of the states, territories and the Torres Strait Islands.

    • The Voice would have specific remote representatives as well as representation for the mainland Torres Strait Islander population.

    • The Voice will have balanced gender representation at the national level.

  • The Voice will be empowering, community-led, inclusive, respectful and culturally informed

    • Members of the Voice would be expected to connect with – and reflect the wishes of – their communities.

    • The Voice would consult with grassroots communities and regional entities to ensure its representations are informed by their experience, including the experience of those who have been historically excluded from participation.

This information is taken from the official Australian Government Voice Referendum Website

Some helpful videos from NITV

The following video content from NITV helps explain more about key aspects of the Voice Referendum.

What even is a referendum?


What is the Voice to Parliament?


What is a Treaty?


Why not everyone supports the Voice to parliament

Podcasts from the AEC

Episode 1

Why have a referendum

Episode 2

History of referendums

Episode 3

What is the AEC

Episode 4

How did we get here

Episode 5

Double majority

Episode 6

Mythbusting

Episode 7

Disinformation - part 1

Episode 8

Disinformation - part 2

Episode 9

Your answer matters

Episode 10

What happens next

Yes or No?

The key arguments for and against the Voice

Arguments against the Voice have morphed since opponents first claimed it would act as a 'third chamber' of parliament, a claim which has since disappeared. But other questions over how the body would function have emerged, with opponents both arguing the Voice would go too far or not far enough. Here are the key arguments for and against enshrining a Voice to Parliament in the constitution:

YES

  • The Voice was recommended after a years-long engagement with Indigenous communities across Australia.


  • Indigenous people should have a say in policies that affect them.


  • If the government listens to Indigenous people as it creates policies about them, the policies will be better.


  • It will be permanent, and future governments won't be able to remove it.


  • Ensuring the Voice can speak to "executive government" means its central role is entrenched, regardless of future governments.


  • It will be gender equal and include youth members, meaning more voices from Indigenous communities will be heard.


  • It has been carefully devised and given the green light by legal experts.


  • Fixed terms mean representatives will always be accountable.


  • The Voice would be a good mechanism through which to negotiate Truth and Treaty processes with the Commonwealth.



  • Parliament, and by extension the Australian people, would still hold the ultimate say over what becomes law.

NO

  • It's symbolic, and fixing systemic issues facing Indigenous communities would require a body with actual power.


  • Governments can ignore its advice if they don't like it.


  • The Voice adds race to the constitution.


  • Because the Voice will be designed by parliament, future governments could change or sideline it.


  • Indigenous people already have a voice via an unprecedented level of Indigenous representation in parliament.



  • Truth and Treaty should come before the Voice.

How to vote

The following information is taken from the AEC website. For more information about how to vote visit aec.gov.au

Am I required to vote in the Referendum?

If you are an Australian citizen aged 18 years or older you are required to vote in the referendum. You must be correctly enrolled by 8pm local time Monday 18 September 2023.

How do I enrol to vote?

To enrol, complete the form on the AEC website. If you are already enrolled but need to update your name or address, you can update your details online.

Voting options - early voting

Early Voting at MVAC

Wednesday 4th October


The AEC will be at MVAC Hall on Wednesday 4th October.

All are welcome to come down, vote early and enjoy some morning tea.

Other Early Voting Options

In person at an early voting centre

If you can’t get to a polling place on polling day you can vote at an early voting centre in Australia - such as MVAC on Wednesday 4th October.


If you're overseas

If you’re overseas during the federal election or referendum period, you may be able to vote at an overseas voting centre or by post. Click here for more information about overseas voting.


Postal voting

You are eligible to apply for a postal vote if you are unable to get to a polling place on polling day. Click here to apply for postal voting.


AEC mobile voting

AEC mobile polling teams visit many voters who are not able to get to a polling place. Mobile polling teams will visit some residential care facilities and remote areas of Australia. Mobile polling is carried out around Australia during the election or referendum period.


Telephone voting

Telephone voting for people who are blind or have low vision

Voters who are blind or have low vision can cast a vote using our dedicated phone service from any location.


Need assistance to vote?

Voters living with a disability may also be eligible to cast their vote by post, or can vote with assistance at a polling place. Click here for information on assistance available.


Voting options - voting on polling day

You can vote at any polling place in your state or territory on polling day. Polling places are usually located at local schools, churches and community halls, or public buildings.


You can vote in the Voice Referendum on Saturday 14th October.

What happens on polling day

  • The polling place opens

    Polling day is always on a Saturday. Polling places open between 8am and 6pm and are usually located in local schools, church halls or public buildings.


    When you enter the polling place, a polling official will direct you to an issuing table as one becomes available. There you will speak to a ballot paper issuing officer who will ask you a couple of questions before you are issued with your ballot papers.


    You will then be directed to one of the polling booths set up around the room for you to cast your vote in private. As you approach the exit there will be two ballot boxes into which you place your completed ballot papers. One is for the House of Representatives ballot paper and the other is for the Senate ballot paper. These will be clearly marked and a person will be at the ballot boxes to assist.

  • How-to-vote cards

    Volunteers from political parties stand outside polling places distributing how-to-vote cards. These cards show voters how political parties or candidates would like you to vote. They may be taken into the polling place to assist in marking ballot papers.


    Although how-to-vote cards may encourage voters to mark their preferences in a particular order, the final choice on how to complete the ballot paper is up to you.

  • Questions you will be asked

    Question 1: 'What is your full name?'

    This enables the polling official to look up your name on the certified list which is a copy of the electoral roll for that division. If your name is on the certified list, you will be asked the next question.


    Question 2: 'Where do you live?'

    If the address given is the same as that shown on the certified list you will be asked the next question.


    Question 3: 'Have you voted before in THIS referendum?'

    If you have not voted before in this referendum, you will be issued with the ballot paper.


    If you have voted, you are not entitled to cast another vote and will not be issued with ballot paper.

  • Casting your vote

    The polling official will initial each ballot paper on the front near the top right-hand corner.


    The polling official will give you your ballot paper when there is a vacant polling booth available so you may mark the ballot paper in secret.


    You will be advised to:

    • proceed ALONE to a vacant polling booth
    • read the instructions printed on the ballot paper
    • fill in the ballot paper
    • fold the ballot paper to conceal your vote
    • put the ballot paper in the appropriate ballot box
    • leave the polling place when finished
    • be aware that assistance is available if required

  • The polling place closes

    The doors of the polling place close at exactly 6pm sharp. Any person still in the polling place still has a right to vote. The counting of votes, or 'scrutiny' begins in the polling places as soon as the poll closes.

Information Hub

Here you can find links to articles, videos and other information about the Voice Referendum.

Yes Vote information from Deakin University

Photo By: John Doe
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No Vote information from Deakin University

Photo By: John Doe
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General information from National Indigenous Australians Agency

Photo By: John Doe
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FAQ video from SBS News

Photo by: John Doe
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