Parliament passes the Constitution Alteration Bill

The Parliament passed the Constitution Alteration Bill on Monday 19 June 2023. This means the referendum question and proposed amendment to the Constitution are now set and the referendum can be held by the end of the year.

At the referendum, Australians will be asked whether to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

The Bill proposes to add a new ‘Chapter IX – Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ at the end of the Constitution.

The proposed chapter will hold a new section 129:

129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

1. there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
2. 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;
3. 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 the composition, functions, powers and procedures.

Full text of the Bill: Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023

Information on the Bill’s passage: Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023 – Parliament of Australia

For more information on the Voice and the referendum, see the Voice website.