The Indigenous Voice
IAP2 Australasia (IAP2A), the peak body for the community and stakeholder engagement sector, has adopted a resolution to ‘support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Indigenous Voice to Parliament’.
The Voice is all about providing true engagement which aligns with IAP2’s core values that promotes participation and being heard for an inclusive and improved outcome.
While IAP2A does not usually advocate for a particular interest, party or project outcome, IAP2A has chosen to support the ‘Yes’ vote as it aligns with its core values and purpose that champions engagement which improves environmental, social and governance outcomes in a meaningful and tangible way.
The Voice to Parliament is consistent with IAP2A’s primary Core Value: ‘Public participation is based on the belief that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision making process’.
Tony Clark, IAP2 Australasia Chair, 2:16
Engagement is about being inclusive and hearing the voices to shape the future. The Uluru Statement from the Heart has come from an engagement process led by our Indigenous Australians. The participatory process which has led to the Voice must be respected and acknowledged and IAP2A commends and celebrates the process of engagement which was genuine and authentic.
Over the coming weeks more resources will be added to this page.
IAP2 Australasia (IAP2A), the peak body for the community and stakeholder engagement sector, has adopted a resolution to ‘support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Indigenous Voice to Parliament’. The Voice is all about providing true engagement which aligns with IAP2’s core values that promotes participation and being heard for an inclusive and improved outcome.
While IAP2A does not usually advocate for a particular interest, party or project outcome, IAP2A has chosen to support the ‘Yes’ vote as it aligns with its core values and purpose that champions engagement which improves environmental, social and governance outcomes in a meaningful and tangible way.
The Voice to Parliament is consistent with IAP2A’s primary Core Value: ‘Public participation is based on the belief that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision making process’.
Engagement is about being inclusive and hearing the voices to shape the future. The Uluru Statement from the Heart has come from an engagement process led by our Indigenous Australians. The participatory process which has led to the Voice must be respected and acknowledged and IAP2A commends and celebrates the process of engagement which was genuine and authentic.
IAP2A acknowledges the Voice is a point of contention in many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Engagement is a rich and robust process which allows and fosters independent thinking and the expression of alternate thoughts in any debate.
As the process turns to the wider Australian community to find their way past the political landscape and engage with the ‘for’ and ‘against’ views to inform themselves in the lead up to the referendum, IAP2A believes the environment of the referendum should be used as an opportunity for Truth Telling, and to build and strengthen relationships across the nation.
To contribute to authentic engagement on the debate, IAP2A will be sharing materials for members to educate themselves on the Voice referendum and will encourage them to deepen their engagement with their local First Nations communities.
Marion Short, CEO for IAP2A says ‘The upcoming debate for the Voice referendum is a landmark opportunity to engage, be heard and understand the issues for all to help their decision making. IAP2 Australasia calls upon all sectors of our government and community to participate respectfully and respect the importance of each and every one of our voices.’
The Voice Debate | Educational Series Article Five: Why IAP2A Supports the Voice to Parliament
While IAP2A adopts a bipartisan approach on many issues, we support the ‘Yes’ vote for the upcoming referendum. The Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Voice to Parliament align powerfully with our Core Values and with our purpose as an organisation championing engagement that improves environmental, social and governance outcomes.
The Voice Debate | Educational Series Article Four: The Cases For and Against the Voice to Parliament
Arguments for and against a Voice to Parliament have developed over time but they have now been formalised in the official Yes/No referendum pamphlet that has been sent out to every household in Australia. These are not the only arguments raised, but they are the only ones that will be officially distributed.
The Voice Debate | Educational Series Article Three: How the Voice Relates to the Uluru Statement from the Heart
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is, according to one of its authors Professor Megan Davis, a plea for constitutional reform. A First Nations Voice to parliament protected by the Constitution is one of the Statement’s key recommendations to achieve this reform.
The Voice Debate | Educational Series Article Two: Why a Referendum?
In our previous article we explained the Voice to Parliament, what it is and how it would be structured. In the second article of our series, we explore the Referendum.
The Voice Debate | Educational Series Article One: About the Voice to Parliament
To contribute to authentic engagement on the debate, each issue we will be providing an educational piece around The Indigenous Voice, to help ensure members are well informed and educated on the referendum and to encourage members to deepen their engagement with their local First Nations communities.
- https://aec.gov.au/referendums/
- AEC website: https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/2023-referendum.htm
- AEC Yes/No pamphlets: https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/pamphlet.htm
- The Voice: https://voice.gov.au
- Reconciliation Australia: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation/support-a-voice-to-parliament/
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-19/senate-voice-vote-referendum/102495138
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-20/heres-what-comes-next-in-the-voice-to-parliament-referendum/102498234
- ABC Yes and No Pamphlets: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-11/aec-prints-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-referendum-pamphlets/102717246
IAP2A Advocacy Initiatives and Resources
To stay up-to-date with IAP2A Advocacy initiatives and resources visit the IAP2A Advocacy page.