Anniversary of the 2023 Voice Referendum

14 October

On 14 October 2023, Australians voted on a proposal to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. The referendum did not pass. Its anniversary marks a significant moment in the continuing discussion about First Nations recognition, representation and self-determination.

Why a Voice was proposed

The proposal grew out of a much longer history of First Nations advocacy for a say in decisions affecting their lives. In 2016 and 2017, the First Nations Regional Dialogues brought Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants together to discuss constitutional recognition and possible reforms. That process led to the 2017 National Constitutional Convention at Uluru and the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The Statement called for a First Nations Voice protected by the Constitution, alongside a Makarrata Commission to oversee agreement-making and truth-telling. These were related calls, but the 2023 referendum concerned the constitutional Voice. Supporters sought a lasting way for First Nations people to contribute to decisions about matters affecting them, rather than relying only on arrangements that could be changed or removed by government.

What Australians voted on

The proposed amendment would have added a new chapter to the Constitution recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia and establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Its role would have been to make representations to the Australian Parliament and the Commonwealth executive government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The amendment would also have allowed Parliament to make laws about the Voice's composition, functions, powers and procedures. It proposed an advisory body, rather than a new parliamentary chamber. The referendum was a vote on this particular constitutional change; it was not a vote on every aspect of the Uluru Statement or on a completed set of operating arrangements. The proposed constitutional wording remains available to read.

The result

The Australian Electoral Commission's final results recorded 6,286,894 Yes votes, or 39.94% of formal votes, and 9,452,792 No votes, or 60.06%. A referendum requires a majority of voters nationally and a majority in at least four of the six states. Neither requirement was met: all six states returned a No majority. The Australian Capital Territory returned a Yes majority, but territories do not count towards the majority of states. Their votes do count in the national total.

The proposed amendment therefore did not become part of the Constitution, and the constitutional Voice was not established.

Reflecting on the anniversary

For many First Nations people and supporters, the result brought grief, disappointment and a sense of rejection. First Nations perspectives on the proposal and the result were not uniform, and the anniversary should not be treated as an occasion on which everyone is expected to feel the same way or explain their position.

Taking time to understand the history, read First Nations accounts and listen with care can be more useful than reopening campaign arguments. In schools, workplaces and Communities, participation in a discussion should be a choice. No one should be expected to speak on behalf of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The date also offers space to reflect on the continuing work for recognition, truth-telling, justice and meaningful participation in decisions affecting First Nations people.

Sources and further reading

The sources below offer official records, First Nations perspectives and further reflection. Resources written before the vote are included as historical material. Books and commentary reflect their authors' perspectives and can be read alongside the official records.

Online sources

2023 federal referendum. Australian Electoral Commission. Official results, the referendum report, timetable and supporting documents.
https://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/referendums/2023.htm

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice referendum. Parliamentary Education Office. A concise overview of the proposal, its background and the result.
https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/history-of-parliament/history-milestones/australian-parliament-history-timeline/events/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-voice-referendum

Uluru Statement from the Heart. The original 2017 Statement, with background on the Dialogues and the call for Voice, agreement-making and truth-telling.
https://ulurustatement.org/the-statement/view-the-statement/

Voice referendum: Understanding the referendum from a human rights perspective. Australian Human Rights Commission, 2023. A resource kit covering human rights, self-determination and minimising harm in conversations, developed with guidance from IndigenousX.
https://humanrights.gov.au/resource-hub/theres-nothing-casual-about-racism/research-publication/voice-referendum-understanding-the-referendum-from-a-human-rights-perspective

Referendum anniversary: we must work harder for First Nations justice. Reconciliation Australia, 14 October 2024. A first-anniversary reflection on the result and continuing work for justice and reconciliation.
https://www.reconciliation.org.au/referendum-anniversary-media-release/

Books and longer reading

The Voice to Parliament Handbook, Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien (Hardie Grant, 2023). A campaign-era explanation of the proposed Voice.

Always Was, Always Will Be, Thomas Mayo (Hardie Grant, 2024). A reflection on the referendum's aftermath and the continuing campaign for justice and recognition.

Broken Heart: A True History of the Voice Referendum, Shireen Morris (La Trobe University Press, 2024). A constitutional lawyer's account of the proposal's development and the political campaign, written from her experience working on the reform.

Our related products and resources

We do not currently offer products or learning resources specifically for this anniversary. The reading links above are provided for background and further learning. Suitable items from our range will be added here as they become available.