The bill to establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum has passed the Australian House of Representatives.
The referendum delivers on an election commitment by the federal government to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.
If successful, the Voice to Parliament will grant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s constitutional recognition and a platform to advise the Australian government on matters relating to Indigenous affairs.
Audio: Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation Culture Centre Coordinator Errolyn Strang on the importance of truth-telling
While addressing parliament, Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the referendum would give Australians the opportunity to “walk towards a better future.”
“It will be up to the Australian people to take the opportunity offered by the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017, an opportunity for our nation to do better, to come together.”
The referendum date is yet to be announced but Australians are expected to hit the polls sometime between October and December.