On October 14 all Australians are required to vote against or in support of changing the constitution to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “Voice to Parliament.”
Voters will select ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in response to the following question:
“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?”
The addition of the Voice to Parliament would permanently amend the constitution by inserting the following lines:
“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:
i. there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
ii. 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;
iii. 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.”
Photo: Element 5 Digital.
The Voice referendum voting day will be on Saturday 14 October 2023 and will run between 8:00am and 6:00pm.
Voters can cast their votes at any polling place within their state or territory.
EARLY POLLING
Early polling for the voice referendum commenced in Queensland on October 3. People eligible to vote early include:
- Those outside the electorate where they are enrolled to vote
- Those more than eight kilometres from a polling place
- Those who are travelling
- Those who are unable to leave their workplace to vote on voting day
- Those who are are seriously ill, infirm or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)
- Patients in hospital who can’t vote at the hospital
- Those with religious beliefs that prevent them from attending a polling place
- Those in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained
- Silent electors
- Those with a reasonable fear for their safety or wellbeing.
Pre-polling in the Oxley electorate is now open at the Inala Business Centre at 46 Wirraway Pde, Inala.
For a full list of pre-polling booths and their opening times, visit https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/
REFERENDUM DAY (OCTOBER 14)
Locations open for voting in and around Forest Lake include:
- Grand Ave State School (cnr Centennial Way & Grand Ave)
- Forest Lake State High School (cnr High St & Forest Lake Blvd)
- Forest Lake State School (8 Kauri Pl, Forest Lake)
- Community Life Uniting Church (528 Waterford Rd, Ellen Grove)
- Serviceton South State School (59 Lorikeet St, Inala)
- TAFE Queensland Inala Campus (54 Thrush St, Inala)
- Richlands East State School (99 Poinsettia St, Inala)
- Pallara State School (39 Ritchie Rd, Pallara)
- Durack State School (Avocet St, Inala)
People who are interstate on polling day will need to visit a designated interstate voting centre. For more information about the Voice Referendum visit aec.gov.au/referendums/vote/vote-in-person.html
