One of the highest-ranked academia in the world is throwing its support behind a Yes vote in the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum.
The University of Newcastle (UoN) will back Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his plan to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia.
Federally, the government is hoping to establish a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
And, residents will head to the polls on 14 October to have their say.
The UoN’s stance, released in a statement this week, has been endorsed by its First Nations Advisory Board (BATSIER) and the University Council.
“The University of Newcastle supports an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament,” it said.
“We are proud to be shaped and guided by the knowledge, stories and principles of the oldest continuing culture in the world.
“We recognise that the views of First Nations people and the broader community are not uniform… and there is a diversity of opinions.
“Universities have a long history of leadership in reform.
“History has taught us that public institutions can only be bettered by listening to, and working with, the communities we represent.
“We have listened to voices of students, staff and alumni, with our position being reinforced by the strong support of the Chair of the University’s Board of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Research (BATSIER) and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employee Network.
“As a learning institution, we encourage healthy debate on political matters and feel we have a role to provide information that supports our community to make informed decisions.
“As a research institution, we must always be led by the evidence.
“Following consultation over a number of months, including surveys, information sessions and community reference groups, we now have this evidence to hand.
“Our university community has spoken and shown majority support for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.”
The UoN also reinforced the message that the upcoming referendum was about the future.
“The outcome of this referendum will impact every Australian and, importantly, generations to come,” the statement continued.
“Its ramifications will be studied within and outside the walls of our university.
“It will be dissected on screens and debated across dinner tables and pub benches.
“The weight of this lays heavily on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who we recognise and acknowledge can at times become ‘subject matter’ amidst their lifetimes of fighting for equality.
“The Australian people will vote in a yes/no referendum on 14 October.
“Whatever the result, the University of Newcastle will continue to advocate for accountability, transparency and, above all, meaningful recognition and representation for First Nations people.”
The UoN’s Library team has created a public resource, too, to assist all residents in making an informed decision.
If you are seeking further information about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, visit: https://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/aboriginalandtorresstraitislandervoicehome/home
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