On the 14 October 2023, Australians voted on whether to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. To help inform individual decisions in relation to this important national event, the State Library held two free public panel conversations called Voices.
Leading politicians, community Elders, academics and youth leaders discussed why your voice mattered in the 2023 referendum. Hear the video and audio recordings below.
Panel 1
Former Liberal Cabinet Minister the Hon Ken Wyatt, academic and expert on Indigenous human rights law, Dr Hannah McGlade, storyteller and intercultural dialogue specialist Shenali Perera, former Chair Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Jackie Oakley and moderated by award-winning journalist Victoria Laurie to discuss the background to the Voice vote, why this referendum has become a political hot potato and what it looks like from an international perspective.
Recorded at panel event at the State Library on 31 August 2023.
Panel 2
Join writer and storyteller Sisonke Msimang when she asks Elders Aunty Irene and Uncle Albert McNamara, Elder Farley Garlett and youth leaders Ezra Jacobs-Smith and Sophie Coffin to share their stories, thoughts and hopes on what the future will look like for all Australians in the next chapter of our shared history.
Recorded at panel event at the State Library on 4 October 2023.
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