Statements of Support

Council and Executive

Published 7 March 2023

The Australian people will vote in a yes/no referendum on enshrining in The Constitution of Australia an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament and government.

Freedom of enquiry and the free expression of ideas are fundamental to the mission of the University of Melbourne. All members of our community are entitled to engage in robust, evidence-based and respectful expression of their views and the University provides a safe place for expressing differing opinions. The University will continue to contribute to the referendum process by actively facilitating informed public debate. Not everyone will vote 'yes' and we fully respect that.

Notwithstanding this, The Council and the Executive of the University of Melbourne affirm their support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the ‘yes’ position in the referendum, and look forward to the parliamentary process that would follow such an outcome.

Academic Board

Published 12 May 2023

The University of Melbourne's Academic Board supports the current government proposal for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

The Board's resolution reflects the University's values, which include advancing the intellectual, cultural, economic and social welfare of communities, and recognising the particular needs and aspirations of Indigenous Australians, advocating and upholding fundamental human rights and sustaining a diverse, inclusive and harmonious scholarly community.

These values are consistent with aims of the current proposal for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

This follows the University Council and Executive’s affirming their support in early March for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the ‘yes’ position in the referendum.

About the University of Melbourne’s Academic Board

Established by Council, the Academic Board is the principal academic governance body for the University of Melbourne. The Board is responsible for quality assurance in academic activities including maintenance of high standards in teaching, learning and research.

The membership of the Board is designed to reflect the voice of the University's scholarly community and is comprised of the professoriate and members of the Academic Board subcommittees, student and professional staff representatives and senior leaders.

Doherty Institute

Published 23 September 2023

The Doherty Institute supports the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. The Institute recognises the significant potential for the Voice to improve equity and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders across Australia. The Institute believes that supporting a clear ‘yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum aligns with our values. We encourage all Australians to become more familiar with the specifics of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity

Published 3 October 2023

The Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) affirms its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the proposed establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament (the Voice).

Through collaboration with Indigenous peoples, communities, and partners, and the remarkable work of the Fellows, AFSE believes that Indigenous peoples have a deep understanding of the intricate challenges faced by their communities. Furthermore, they hold the knowledge of sustainable and culturally appropriate solutions to not only these challenges, but to many of the challenges that societies around the world face today.

AFSE firmly believes that empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledging their participation in decision-making processes that directly impact their lives is not only a crucial step towards achieving social change and equity but also a unifying force for our nation. By recognising and valuing the lived experiences, perspectives, and aspirations of Indigenous peoples, we can foster a collective commitment to address historical and ongoing injustices and create lasting and significant change for Indigenous peoples and communities across the country.

We acknowledge that the Voice alone cannot fully redress the profound historical and ongoing injustices suffered by Indigenous peoples. Nevertheless, we view it as a key step on the path to treaty, truth-telling, and healing.

Further, AFSE recognises and respects the diversity of perspectives on this issue and wishes to make clear that this statement does not reflect the views of all AFSE Fellows and staff members.

AFSE hopes that the spirit of collective action and impact will inspire all Australians to embrace this opportunity to reshape our future for a better world – a place where we can all be heard.