In the spirit of reconciliation, we, as academics in the Law School at the University of Queensland, acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia, and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present, and we extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities today.
As academics in law, we are committed to justice for all people. We believe that to uphold that commitment, it behooves all Australians to accept the invitation from the
Uluru Statement from the Heart to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for a better future. The first step towards that future involves enshrining an Indigenous Voice in the Constitution. Accordingly, those of us eligible to vote will be voting ‘yes’ at the upcoming Voice referendum to be held on 14 October 2023 and encourage others to do the same.
We recognise that the processes which led to the Uluru Statement’s call for a Voice were an act of self-determination, being led by First Nations people and involving a proportionately significant number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates who were broadly representative of Indigenous perspectives from across the continent. We also recognise that the structural changes called for in the Uluru Statement, particularly the constitutional enshrinement of an Indigenous Voice, will better the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and advance the cause of reconciliation.
In making this statement of support, we acknowledge that the
University of Queensland’s Senate has expressed its support for the Uluru Statement and its call for Indigenous people to have a Voice. We agree with the
Law Council of Australia that the Voice will help address the power imbalances embedded since the establishment of the Constitution, which have enabled dispossession and disadvantage. We also share the view of the
Solicitor-General that the constitutional amendment put to the referendum is not only compatible with the system of representative and responsible government prescribed by the Constitution, but an enhancement of that system.
In short, we believe that the proposal for a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice is a well-considered and legally sound reform that offers a positive and pragmatic way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have a meaningful say over the laws and policies that affect their lives. The Voice will advance First Nations self-determination and improve Australia’s democracy.
Dr Kamalesh Adhikari
A/Prof Rebecca Ananian-Welsh
Mr Anthony Austin
Prof Kit Barker
A/Prof Francesca Bartlett
A/Prof Justine Bell-James
Prof Rick Bigwood
Prof Peter Billings
Prof Anthony Cassimatis AM
Dr Kate Falconer
Dr Andrew Fell
Dr Iain Field
Dr Rosemary Gibson
Dr Caitlin Goss
A/Prof Paul Harpur
Dr Sam Hartridge
Dr Radha Ivory
Dr Barbora Jedličková
Dr Joseph Lelliott
Prof Rain Liivoja
Dr Dani Linder
Dr Dylan Lino
Dr Hamish MacDonald
Dr Rob Mullins
Prof Graeme Orr
Dr Lauren Sanders
Prof Andreas Schloenhardt
Prof John Swinson
Dr Rebecca Wallis
Prof Tamara Walsh
Dr Brendan Walker-Munro
Dr Kim Weinert