The Voice to Parliament
Constitutional Recognition and The Voice to Parliament
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC) has provided
leadership to the national church in consideration of issues associated with constitutional
recognition and a voice to Parliament. NATSIAC, in consultation with the Public Affairs
Commission, has developed resources including summaries and theological reflections for
use by Anglican parishes, schools and organisations.
The Anglican Church of Australia first confirmed its support for constitutional recognition for
first nations people and a voice to the Commonwealth parliament by passing the following
resolution at the 17th Session of General Synod held in 2017 (R28/17):
The General Synod:
Supports the recommendation of the Referendum Council for a constitutionally-entrenched First
Nations’ Voice to the Commonwealth Parliament;
1. Encourages the governments in Australia to seek to negotiate in good faith with First
Nations’ Peoples towards treaties or other similar forms of agreement;
2. Requests the General Secretary to convey this resolution to the Prime Minister, State
Premiers, and Leaders of the Opposition;
3. Requests the Public Affairs Commission in consultation with NATSIAC to prepare
resources, including summaries and theological reflections for use by Anglican parishes,
schools and organisations, on the Referendum Council Report on any subsequent
referendum questions and on the progress of treaty or similar negotiations.
NATSIAC Statement on
the Voice Referendum
NATSIAC issued this statement on the
Voice Referendum in early 2023.
Statements of Support from the National Church
The National Bishops issued a statement of support in March 2023.
The Standing Committee of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia affirmed a Statement on the Voice to Parliament at its meeting in April 2023.
In recognition of National Reconciliation Week and the 6th Anniversary of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the Primate issued a letter on 9 May 2023 asking for prayer for the members of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council and their prophetic witness to their local communities and to the wider church.
ABM has published a list of statements, resolutions and submissions from around the national church in relation to the referendum.
Anglicare Australia has published statements and resources on the Voice.
Reponses to Statement from the Heart and Statement from the Deep
Statement from the Deep – the Masig Statement.
Bishop Chris McLeod, the National Aboriginal Bishop, signed an endorsement of the Statement from the Heart with other faith leaders in 2023.
Resources for Diocese
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council and the Public Affairs Commission have prepared a suite of information materials and resources for the use of Diocese.
Submissions to Commonwealth Government Enquiry
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council and the Public Affairs Commission provided a joint submission in March 2023 to the Commonwealth Government’s Inquiry into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum: Constitution Alternation (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023.