Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is long overdue. The research sector, alongside the wider community, should progress and support recognition, truth telling and reconciliation.
The Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA), the convenor of Australia’s five Learned Academies, is proud to publicly state its support for the referendum to give the Government the legislative ability to establish a constitutionally enshrined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
Our position reflects our support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and our members’, the Learned Academies, own public support for the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
We acknowledge that Government agencies have engaged with a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and advisory groups and communities directly. However, substantive gaps in equality in terms of outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians remain, such as in education, health and housing.
There is considerable evidence demonstrating that, if Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are included in the planning and delivery of policies and programs, better outcomes can be obtained. To this end, the Voice is important and will provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with a permanent body to make representations to Parliament and the Executive Government on matters that directly affect their communities, to support improved outcomes.
Debate on this topic should remain respectful and evidence-based, acknowledging that people hold different views. Resources such as the Indigenous voice co-design process report for the Government, co‑chaired by Professor Marcia Langton AO FASSA FTSE and Professor Tom Calma AO FAA FASSA, are a useful reference to understand the potential design of the Voice.
About
Australia’s five Learned Academies provide independent, authoritative and influential research-based advice across research domains, build public awareness and understanding of research, and champion, celebrate and support excellence in Australian research and innovation. The Academies are:
- Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
- Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences
- Australian Academy of the Humanities
- Australian Academy of Science
- Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
ACOLA is the forum whereby Australia’s Learned Academies come together to contribute expert advice to inform national policy; and to develop innovative solutions to complex global problems and emerging national needs.
