Yes or No: The Voice to Parliament Referendum

Later this year, Australians will take part in a referendum where they will be asked to vote YES or NO in answer to the question: "Do you support a change to the constitution to recognise the first peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?" But what exactly is the Voice, and what are the arguments for and against it?

Eine Befürworterin der Ja-Stimme zur Voice to Parliament bei einem Event in Sydney. Source: AAP / BIANCA DE MARCHI/AAPIMAGE

The Government's First Nations Referendum Working Group says the Voice would be a permanent body to make representations to the Australian Parliament and the Executive Government on legislation and policy of significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.