A Proposed Law: Voice to Parliament Constitutional Alteration - Call to Vote Yes

Sep 15, 2026

Upload by Liam

The document sets out a proposed constitutional law to recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. It reproduces the proposed Chapter IX wording defining the body, its ability to make representations to Parliament and the Commonwealth Executive, and the Parliament’s power to legislate on its composition, functions, powers, and procedures. It argues the existing approach is insufficient, emphasizes Indigenous peoples’ ground-level expertise, and urges public support for a national referendum vote of “Yes.”

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Proposed Law and Constitutional Alteration

Chapter IX: Recognition and Establishment of the Voice

Rationale for Change

Addressing Poor Status Quo in Life Expectancy and Quality of Life

Supporting Solutions Through Indigenous Leadership

Call to Action for the Referendum

Pledge to Vote “Yes”

A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration? “Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia: There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice; The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.” * The status quo for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people with respect to life expectancy & quality of life is not good enough. * No party or government has consistently and effectively provided solutions for the challenges facing Indigenous people. * As a nation, we cannot continue with the same policies and laws to address these issues and expect a different result – we need todo something different. © 2022 From the Heart | 4 * Indigenous people are best placed to understand their own challenges and the solutions that actually work on the ground. * We have the over 65,000 years of continuous Indigenous culture, and it’s time our now 122 years old constitution was updated to recognise the people that were here first; * We should make this change because about 80% of Indigenous Australians support constitutional recognition in the form of a Voice to Parliament, and * We should make this change because legal experts including former High Court judges have confirmed that a Voice to Parliament is a legally safeway to constitutionally recognise Indigenous Australians; * Constitutional recognition through a Voice is a simple proposal whose time has come. Let’s get on with it. * Yes23 needs as many people as possible to show their support today. Join us in supporting reconciliation by pledging to vote “Yes” in the national referendum. [https://action.yes23.com.au/pledge](https://action.yes23.com.au/pledge)

FAQs

What does the proposed law aim to do?

It seeks to alter the Constitution to recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

What powers would the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice have?

The Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and Parliament can make laws about its composition and procedures.

Why does the document argue for voting “Yes”?

It claims current policies have not delivered effective solutions, states Indigenous people are best placed to identify workable solutions, and asserts that constitutional recognition through a Voice is a legally safe pathway supported by many, leading to a call for “Yes” in the referendum.

Sep 15, 2026

Upload by Liam