The AILC board supports a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming national referendum for the Constitutional Recognition of Australia's First Peoples. 

For over 22 years, our organisation’s mission has been to see Australia’s First Peoples leading, connecting and influencing positive change for the benefit of all Australians.  We see the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament as a positive step towards greater influence over the design and implementation of government policies that directly affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.  In the Board’s view, an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is a positive step towards better outcomes for our people.

Having worked with hundreds of inspiring and talented Indigenous leaders across Australia through our decades-long program of leadership training, we know the answers to the challenges we face lay in our communities and our young people. The Voice will give those communities a way to be heard and an opportunity to create better outcomes.

We encourage all Australians to learn more about the proposed changes to the Constitution.  To talk with Community, Elders, family and friends.  To listen to the people who participated in the regional dialogues that led to the creation of the Uluru Statement of the Heart.  To read the Statement from the Heart and reflect on its meaning and aspirations.  To think about the past, and the opportunities an Indigenous Voice to Parliament could offer.

And, we urge all mob, 18 years and over, to enrol to vote.  Your vote is important and will help decide the outcome of the referendum. 

The AILC supports a respectful conversation about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament as we all consider the question that will be put before us later this year.  It is our hope that Australia will say ‘yes’ to the proposed recognition of Indigenous Australians by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.