FAQs

What is the Voice to Parliament?

The Voice to Parliament is a body enshrined in the constitution that would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to provide advice to the parliament on policies and projects that impact their lives.

How exactly would the constitution be altered?

The federal government has proposed the following wording be added to the constitution (although this wording is not yet finalised): not negotiate treaties itself, but will provide the institutional support for truth-telling and treaty-making to proceed.

The treaty process will adopt a decentralised approach, with the government open to communityled negotiations and individual treaty making with different Indigenous groups.

The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry will be a five-member team with the majority being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.

It will embrace a ‘non-adversarial’ inquiry style and will be tasked with examining and reporting on the impact and effect of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

It is expected to operate for three years.

The bill also includes provisions to remove offensive terms and outdated provisions within existing laws, including those controlling Indigenous people’s lives and movements.

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to Parliament and the Executive government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.