This year, Australians will have their say on whether they want to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians by establishing the Voice to Parliament.

The referendum is about whether you agree that First Nations people should have a say in matters that affect them.

The Government has been consulting with representatives from First Nations communities across Australia – including Ken Wyatt, Marcia Langton, Megan Davis, and Noel Pearson. This Referendum Working Group has agreed to key design principles for the Voice.

1) The Voice will provide independent advice to Parliament and Government.
2) The Voice will be chosen by First Nations people based on the wishes of local communities.
3) The Voice will be representative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
4) The Voice will be empowering, community-led, inclusive, respectful, culturally informed and gender balanced. It will include young people.
5) The Voice will be accountable and transparent.
6) The Voice will work alongside existing organisations and traditional structures.
7) The Voice will not deliver programs.
8) The Voice will not have a veto power.

The design principles agreed to by the working group are the basis for how the Voice will work. The final design of the Voice will be determined by the Parliament through consultation and legislation.