Voice to Parliament The Who, The What and The Why

Voice to 

Parliament 

The Who, The What 

& The Why 

Reading and resource recommendations regarding the 

2023 Voice to Parliament Referendum 

MSA Indigenous x SURLY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

OF COUNTRY 

SURLY acknowledges and pays respects to Elders past 

and present of the Bunurong peoples of the Kulin 

nations, the traditional custodians of the land on which 

we meet and operate. Sovereignty was never ceded. 

Always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

CONTENTS 

Introduction ......................................................... 4 

What is a Referendum?............................... 6 

The Referendum Question......................... 7 

Resources 

Understanding the Voice............................ 8 

In opposition to the Voice ....................... 12 

Who can vote?..............................................14 

Book & media recommendations 

Indigenous Experience & History .......... 15 

Indigenous Culture & Knowledge........... 20 

Indigenous Fiction and Poetry................. 24 

Indigenous Podcasts & Music.................. 31 

Note: Follow blue hyperlinks for online resources 

@msa.indigenous 

@surlymsa 

2

INTRODUCTION 

In 2017, after thirteen First Nations Regional 

Dialogues, 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait 

Islander Elders & leaders signed The Uluru 

Statement from the Heart. The statement 

outlines hopes & aims for the future of 

Australia’s Indigenous peoples. Three aims are 

prominent: Voice, Treaty, &Truth. 

The upcoming referendum on enshrining an 

Indigenous Voice in the constitution has 

catapulted First Nations culture and history 

into the limelight. 

Here at SURLY, in collaboration with MSA 

Indigenous, we've put together some reading 

resources to provide a starting point on the 

background and discussion around the Voice. 

In this booklet, you'll find recommendations 

for books & online resources exploring: 

Indigenous Experience and History 

Indigenous Culture and Knowledge 

Indigenous creative writing 

& resources concerning the referendum 

3

Books, movies, music, etc. all contribute to our 

understandings of First Nations history, culture, 

and ways of knowing, So we also have some 

recommendations for additional ways to 

encounter opinions and works either by 

Indigenous peoples, or discussion around 

Indigenous peoples. 

MSA Indigenous Student 

Representative 2023: 

John (any pronouns) 

MSA-Indigenous@monash.edu 

@msa.indigenous 

Student Union Recreational 

Library (SURLY) 

Level 1, Campus Centre 

(Clayton) 

MSA-Library@monash.edu 

@surlymsa 

4

WHAT IS A REFERENDUM 

In Australia, a referendum is a democratic tool 

in which all citizens are asked to give their 

opinion on a important topic, the results of 

which will change the constitution. 

How does is work? 

1. A Bill is passed by Parliament which outlines 

the purpose of changes to the constitution. 

The bill for this was passed in the federal 

House of Representatives 24th March 2023. 

2. A 'Writ' is issued by Governor-General for a 

referendum which, like an election must be 

held on a Saturday. It can be held with an 

ordinary election but can also be held 

separately. 

3. Australians vote! 

4. In order for the amendment to the 

constitution to pass, their needs to be a 

"double majority, meaning 50% of Australian 

citizens approve AND four or more of the state 

& territories approve as well. 

For more information: 

aec.gov.au/elections/referendum 

5

The following has been taken from the official federal government 

website, 23 March 2023 (voice.niaa.gove.au) 

Referendum Question 

“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First 

Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres 

Strait Islander Voice. 

Do you approve this proposed alteration?” 

Constitutional Amendment 

Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 

Peoples 

129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice 

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as 

the First Peoples of Australia: 

1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres 

Strait Islander Voice; 

2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make 

representations to the Parliament and the Executive 

Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; 

3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power 

to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal 

and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, 

functions, powers and procedures. 

6

UNDERSTANDING 

THE VOICE + THE 

REFERENDUM: 

WHERE TO START? 

7

U N D E R S T A N D I N G T H E R E F E R E N D U M 

F E D E R A L G O V E R N M E N T I N T R O D U C I N G 

T H E V O I C E R E F E R E N D U M B I L L T O T H E 

H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 

Footage of Mark Dreyfus (Attorney General) introducing the 

Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 

2023 bill to the House of Representatives on 30 March 2023. In this 

speech, Mr Dreyfus explains the proposed amendment to the 

constitution to create an independent representative body which will 

advise on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 

communities. You can find this video on YouTube and the ABC 

website. 

You can also find a transcript of the attorney General's speech on 

the Parliament of Australia website. 

8


F I N D I N G T H E H E A R T O F T H E N A T I O N 

- T H O M A S M A Y O 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 

author Thomas Mayo gets behind the 

politics and legal speak to explain why 

the Uluru Statement from the Heart is 

an invitation to all Australians. 

Importantly, he shares with you how 

the Voice to Parliament referendum 

gives the public the power to change 

and address the wrongs of the past. 

Available at SURLY 

Non-Fiction - 323.09 MAY 

F E D E R A L V O I C E T O P A R L I A M E N T 

W E B S I T E 

This is the official federal website for the Voice to Parliament 

Referendum which summarises what the referendum is proposing 

and what the amendment to the constitution will be. It also gives 

you the opportunity to subscribe to the mailing list for latest 

information. 

voice.niaa.gov.au 

9


U L U R U S T A T E M E N T F R O M T H E 

H E A R T W E B S I T E 

In 2017 over 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Delegates 

signed the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The statement was 

addressed to the Australian people and invited the nation to create 

a better future via the proposal of key reforms. This website 

contains videos, written posts and more concerning the statement 

and the legal history of Indigenous civil rights and sovereignty in 

Australia. You can also find advice on how you can support the 

Voice. This has been created and is managed by The Uluru 

Dialogue which is based at the Indigenous Law Centre, UNSW 

Sydney. 

ulurustatement.org 

1 0 M I N U T E G E N I U S : M E G A N D A V I S O N 

T H E P O W E R O F V O I C E ( V I D E O ) 

Professor Megan Savis is a Cobble Cobble woman and Pro Vice- 

Chancellor Indigenous at UNSW Sydney. Professor Davis is one of 

the authors of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. 

In this video Professor Davis will provide explain the process that 

lead to the conception of the referendum. 

You can find on YouTube & the UNSW website. 

10

IN OPPOSITION 

TO THE VOICE 

TO PARLIAMENT 

11


R E C O G N I S E A B E T T E R W A Y : 

C A M P A I G N W E B S I T E 

The Recognise a Better Way campaign presents an alternative solution 

to the Albanese government proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait 

Islander Voice in the Australian Constitution. The initiative is 

supported by The Voice No Case Committee, which includes 

Indigenous and Non-Indigenous community leaders and previously 

appointed movement officials. 

www.recogniseabetterway.org.au 

T H E T R A G E D Y I S I N D I G E N O U S V O I C E P L A N 

I S W R O N G I N P R A C T I C E A N D W R O N G I N 

P R I N C I P L E ( A R T I C L E ) 

- C H R I S M E R R I T T , 

3 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3 

This article was written by the Vice-president of the Rule of Law 

Institute of Australia and Rule of Law Education Centre, Chris Merritt. 

The Rule of Law Institute is a "an independent, politically nonpartisan, 

gift deductible entity formed to uphold the rule of law in 

Australia" which aims to educate and promote the ideals set out in 

the Magna Carter (document signed by King John of England in 1215 

C.E.). Chris Merritt in not indigenous. 

This article is in response to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese 

MP's announcement of the referendum question on 23rd March 

2023. It was published in The Australian on 24th March 2023. 

You can find this article on the Rule of Law website. 

12

W H O C A N V O T E ? 

It is compulsory by law for all eligible Australian 

citizens to enrol and vote in federal elections, 

by-elections and referendums. 

Eligibility basics 

you are an Australian citizen, or eligible 

British subject, 

aged 18 years and over, and 

have lived at your address for at least one 

month. 

If you are 16 or 17 you can enrol now so when 

you turn 18 you'll be able to vote. 

For more information: aec.gov.au/enrol 

E N R O L T O 

V O T E 

13

HISTORY & THE 

INDIGENOUS 

AUSTRALIAN 

EXPERIENCE 

14

H I S T O R Y & I N D I G E N O U S A U S T R A L I A N 

E X P E R I E N C E 

A N O T H E R D A Y I N T H E 

C O L O N Y 

C H E L S E A W A T E G O , 

A ground-breaking work - and a call to 

arms - that exposes the ongoing 

colonial violence experienced by First 

Nations people. In this collection of 

deeply insightful and powerful essays, 

Chelsea Watego examines the ongoing 

and daily racism faced by First Nations 

peoples in so-called Australia 


Non-Fiction - 305.8991 WAT 

G R O W I N G U P 

A B O R I G I N A L I N 

A U S T R A L I A 

- A N I T A H E I S S 

This anthology, compiled by awardwinning 

author Anita Heiss, showcases 

many diverse voices, experiences and 

stories in order to answer that question. 


Non Fiction 305.89915 HEI 

15



L O W I T J A 

- S T U A R T R I N T O U L 

Official biography of Dr Lowitja 

O’Donoghue. A powerful and unrelenting 

advocate for her people, an inspiration 

for many, a former Australian of the 

Year, she sat opposite Prime Minister 

Paul Keating in the first negotiations 

between an Australian government and 

Aboriginal people and changed the 

course of the nation. 


Biography - B RIN 

 

T R A C K E R 

- A L E X I S W R I G H T 

Alexis Wright returns to non-fiction in 

her new book, a collective memoir of 

the charismatic Aboriginal leader, 

political thinker and entrepreneur Leigh 

Bruce “Tracker” Tilmouth, who died in 

Darwin in 2015 at the age of 62. 


Biography - B WRI 

16



T E L L M E W H Y 

- A R C H I E R O A C H 

In his inspirational, highly acclaimed 

memoir – and including reflections from 

First Nations Elders and young people – 

Archie Roach tells the story of his life and 

his music. Only two when he was forcibly 

removed from his family, and brought up 

by a series of foster parents until his early 

teens, Archie’s world imploded when he 

received a letter that spoke of a life he 

had no memory of. It took him almost a 

lifetime to find out who he really was. 


Biography - B ROA 

M Y T I D D A , M Y S I S T E R 

- R A C H A E L S A R R A & 

M A R L E E S I L V A 

My Tidda, My Sister shares the 

experiences of many Indigenous women 

and girls and is a celebration of the 

Indigenous female experience through 

truth-telling. 

Biography - B SIL 

17



T H E S T O L E N C H I L D R E N : 

T H E I R S T O R I E S 

- C A R M E L B I R D 

The Stolen Generation refers to the 

Indigenous Australian children who had 

been forcibly removed from their families 

through government policies throughout 

the 20th century. In 1995 an inquiry into 

the large-scale negative effects these 

policies had on the Indigenous 

community commenced. This is a 

collection of extracts from the resulting 

report: Bringing Them Home: Report of 

the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal & Torres Strait 

Islander Children from Their Families. 


Non-Fiction 362.849 BIR 

ONLINE RESOURCES 

Bringing them Home: This is an educational website for 

information regarding the history of the Stolen Generation, the 

1997 report published by the Australian Human Rights 

Commission (bth.humanrights.gov.au) 

Right Wrongs: An online exhibition concerning the 1967 

Referendum which concluded with Constitutional recognition of 

Indigenous Australians as citizens of Australia and the 

Commonwealth. (abc.net.au/rightwrongs) 

18

I N D I G E N O U S 

C U L T U R E & 

K N O W L E D G E 

19

I N D I G E N O U S C U L T U R E & K N O W L E D G E 

S A N D T A L K : H O W 

I N D I G E N O U S T H I N K I N G 

C A N S A V E T H E W O R L D 

- T Y S O N Y U N K A P O R T A 

This book is about everything from 

echidnas to evolution, cosmology to 

cooking, sex and science and spirits to 

Schrodinger's cat. Tyson Yunkaporta 

looks at global systems from an 

Indigenous perspective. 


Non-Fiction - 305.89 YUN 

P L A N T S : P A S T , P R E S E N T 

A N D F U T U R E 

- Z E N A C U M P S T O N , L E S L E Y 

H E A D & M I C H A E L - S H A W N 

F L E T C H E R 

The First Knowledges series provides a 

deeper understanding of the expertise 

and ingenuity of Indigenous Australians. 

This edition of the series celebrates the 

deep cultural significance of plants and 

shows how engaging with this heritage 

could be the key to a healthier, more 

sustainable future. 


Non-Fiction - 581.63 CUM 20


A S T R O N O M Y : S K Y 

C O U N T R Y 

- K A R L I E N O O N & 

K R Y S T A L D E N A P O L I 

Explores the connections between 

Aboriginal environmental and cultural 

practices and the behaviour of the 

stars, and considers what must be 

done to sustain our dark skies, and 

the information they hold, into the 

future. 


Non-Fiction - 520.89 NOO 

T H E D R E A M I N G P A T H 

- P A U L C A L L A G H A N 

Through conversations, exercises, 

Dreamtime stories and key messages, 

Paul Callaghan and Uncle Paul Gordon 

will sit you around the fire and share 

knowledge that reveals the power of 

Aboriginal spirituality as a profound 

source of contentment and wellbeing for 

anyone willing to listen. 


Non Fiction 158.1089915 CAL 

21


L A N D S C A P E S O F O U R 

H E A R T S 

- M A T T H E W C O L L O F F 

An epic exploration of our relationship 

with this country, Landscapes of Our 

Hearts takes us from the Great Barrier 

Reef to the Central Desert, the High 

Country to Canberra's Limestone 

Plains. It is a book of hope and offers 

the possibility that a renewed 

connection to the landscape and to 

each other could pave the way 

towards reconciliation. 


Non-Fiction - 333.709 COL 

N A T I O N A L 


T E L E V I S I O N ( N I T V ) 

This free-to-air channel broadcasts programs produced and 

presented by Indigenous Australians. Owned by the Special 

Broadcast Service Network (SBS), NITV hosts current affairs 

programs, sports coverage and entertainment. It can be accessed on 

channel 34 (australian free-to-air) and online via the SBS On Demand 

website and application. 

22


W R I T E R S : 

F I C T I O N A N D 

P O E T R Y 

23

I N D I G E N O U S W R I T E R S : F I C T I O N 

T A B O O 

- K I M S C O T T 

Taboo takes place in the present day, 

in the rural South-West of Western 

Australia, and tells the story of a group 

of Noongar people who revisit, for the 

first time in many decades, a taboo 

place: the site of a massacre that 

followed the assassination, by these 

Noongar's descendants, of a white 

man who had stolen a black woman. 


Fiction - F SCO 

F L O C K 

- E L L E N V A N N E E R V E N 

This wide-ranging and captivating 

anthology showcases both the 

power of First Nations writing and 

the satisfaction of a good short story. 

Flock roams the landscape of 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 

storytelling, bringing together voices 

from across the generations. 


Fiction - F Van NEE 

24


G H O S T R I V E R 

- T O N Y B I R C H 

Sony & Ren, two young boys from the 

wrong side of the tracks, find 

friendship and belonging on the banks 

of Melbourne's Yarra river. The river 

that shielded them from harm time & 

time again is threatened by urban 

progress. Can the boys save their 

haven or will the overwhelming odds 

stacked against two poor kids prove 

insurmountable? 


Fiction - F BIR 

BILA YARRUDHANGGALANGDHURAY 

( R I V E R O F D R E A M S ) 

- A N I T A H E I S S 

Based on devastating true events, 

Anita Heiss' historical novel follows 

the life of young Wiradjuri woman. 

Set in 1852, around the time of 

Gundagai's flood, on the timeless 

Wiradyuri country, this is an epic story 

of love, loss and belonging. 


Fiction - F HEI 

25


E N C L A V E 

- C L A I R E G . C O L E M A N 

The enclave was the only world Christine 

knew, the world outside was not safe. 

Staying or leaving was not a choice she 

had the power to make. But then 

Christine dared start thinking . . . and 

from that moment, danger was 

everywhere. 


Fiction - F COL 

T H I S A L L C O M E B A C K 

N O W 

M Y K A E L A S A U N D E R S 

The first-ever anthology of Aboriginal and 

Torres Strait Islander speculative fiction – 

written, curated, edited and designed by 

blackfellas, for blackfellas and about 

blackfellas. 


Fiction - F SAU 

26


G U A R D I A N S : W Y L A H 

T H E K O O R I E W A R R I O R 

- J O R D A N G O U L D 

Wylah dreams of becoming an art teacher 

like her greatly respected Grandmother. 

But when her tribe is attacked by the 

Dragon Army and taken captive, Wylah 

must summon the courage to unite the 

five Guardians and save her people. 


Sci-fi & Fantasy - SF GOU 

T H E I N T E R R O G A T I O N O F 

A S H L A W O L F 

- A M B E L I N K W A Y M U L L I N A 

This dystopian YA fantasy asks the 

question: what happens when children 

develop inexplicable abilities—and the 

government sees them as a threat. Ashala 

Wolf and her Tribe of fellow Illegals have 

taken refuge in the Firstwood, where they 

are hidden and free. But when she is 

betrayed by a friend and captured by an 

enemy, Ashala is forced to succumb to a 

machine that will pull secrets from her 

mind. Will the Tribe survive the 

interrogation of Ashala Wolf? 


Sci-fi & fantasy - SF KWA 

27

I N D I G E N O U S W R I T E R S : P O E T R Y 

N G A N A J U N G U Y A G U 

- C H A R M A I N E 

P A P E R T A L K G R E E N 

A series of letters exchanged by the 

author and her mother over forty 

years ago, Nganajungu Yagu is inspired 

by her Mother's life and the love she 

instills for her people, culture and 

language. 


Poetry - POE GRE 

D R O P B E A R 

- E V E L Y N A R A L U E N 

This innovative mix of poetry and 

essay offers an eloquent witness to 

the entangled present, an 

uncompromising provocation of 

history, and an embattled but 

redemptive hope for a decolonial 

future. 


Poetry - POE ARA 

28

I N D I G E N O U S W R I T E R S : P O E T R Y 

H O M E C O M I N G 

- E L F I E S H I O S A K I 

Homecoming pieces together 

fragments of stories about four 

generations of Noongar women and 

explores how they navigated the 

changing landscapes of colonisation, 

protectionism, and assimilation to hold 

their families together. 


Poetry - POE SHI 

M E E T M E A T T H E 

I N T E R S E C T I O N 

- A M B E L I N 

K W A Y M U L L I N A 

& R E B E C C A L I M 

Meet Me at the Intersection is an 

anthology of short fiction, memoir, 

and poetry by authors who are First 

Nations, People of Color, LGBTIQA+, 

or living with disability 


Poetry - POE LIM 

29

P O D C A S T S , R A D I O 

& M U S I C 

Podcasts: 

Yarning Up with Caroline Kell 

Word Up 

Black Magic Woman 

Frontier War Stories 

AWAYE! 

Radio: 

3KND (Naarm based) 

Speaking Out (ABC) 

Music: 

Emily Wurramarra 

Archie Roach 

Baker Boy 

Thelma Plum 

Yothu Yindi 

Birdz 

30

MSA Indigenous x SURLY

Voice to Parliament The Who, The What and The Why

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