Voice to Parliament
Understand the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament with the help of University of Melbourne experts
University of Melbourne Statements of Support
Council and Executive
On 7 March 2023, the University of Melbourne Council and Executive affirmed their support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the ‘yes’ position in the referendum.
Academic Board
On 12 May 2023, The University of Melbourne Academic Board passed a resolution to support the current government proposal for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Conversations about the Voice
Want to learn more about the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament? Have you got a question about how a certain part of the Voice will work?
Understand the constitutional and legal parts of the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament with Melbourne Law School's leading constitutional experts!
Engage in meaningful, exploratory conversations with influential thought leaders, politicians, public servants, and others.
Remote Australia and the Voice
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Hear from Yolŋu Elders Professor Brian Djangirrawuy Gumbula-Garawirrtja and Renelle Gon͟darra as they outline Northeast Arnhem Land's history of failed government initiatives and their hope for meaningful and sustained change through the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Speakers: Professor Brian Djangirrawuy Gumbula-Garawirrtja, Renelle Gon͟darra and Professor Aaron Corn
Latest expert opinions
Discover what our University of Melbourne experts have to say about the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
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Don't Twist the Aim of the Voice for Political Gain
Opponents to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament are repeating history - taking the very real issue of child protection and using it as a political weapon | By Professor Cathy Humphreys
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Journalists reporting on the Voice to Parliament do voters a disservice with ‘he said, she said’ approach
The Voice referendum, with its impassioned arguments on both sides, presents the Australian media with an opportunity to show their capacity for truth-telling and impartiality | By Dr Denis Muller
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Australia's Constitutional Answer to Structural Racism
Inequality was woven into Australia’s original constitutional structures and continues today; until that changes, the system remains structurally stacked against Indigenous interests | By Dr Shireen Morris, Julian R Murphy, and Associate Professor Will Partlett
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True reconciliation or just history repeating?
As a nation, we cannot have those who keep the oldest living culture alive being exposed to hatred we are currently allowing | By Ms Renee Owen; Dr Renee Fiolet and Dr Lahiru Russell.
Our Voice to Parliament Experts
The University of Melbourne is proud to have a number of academic experts who are available to discuss various aspects of the forthcoming referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia and to establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. If you would like to speak with one of our experts, please contact them directly or get in touch with our Media Team.
Professor Marcia Langton AO
Professor Marcia Langton AO is an anthropologist and geographer, and since 2000 has held the Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne. In 2016 Professor Langton was honoured as a University of Melbourne Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor.
Professor Cheryl Saunders AO
Cheryl Saunders is a Laureate Professor Emeritus at Melbourne Law School and was the founding Director of the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies. She has specialist expertise in Australian and Comparative Constitutional Law and a long commitment to contributing to public understanding of constitutional issues, in Australia and elsewhere.
Professor Jason Varuhas
Jason N E Varuhas is a distinguished Professor of Law at Melbourne Law School, who has published extensively in public and private law. His scholarship is frequently cited by high courts in Australia and globally, and he has significant experience in law reform processes. Additionally, he serves as the Director of the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies and the international series of Public Law Conferences.
Dr Denis Muller
Denis Muller is a highly respected media ethics expert with 27 years of journalism experience, including as assistant editor at the Sydney Morning Herald and associate editor at the Age. He conducts independent research on education, health, environment, and media, making him well-suited to discuss media issues related to the Voice to Parliament debate.
More information
- voice.gov.au | Neutral information on the proposal of the Voice
- A Primer for Constitutional Reform | Video
- Indigenous Constitutional Recognition through a Voice | Short course