Kiama residents will have the opportunity to ask a local expert about the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament this week.

Aboriginal Christian leader, writer and speaker, and Wakka Wakka women Brooke Prentis will host a lecture on the proposed Voice to Parliament, which Australians will vote on in a referendum later this year. Prentis is a grassroots community organiser with no political affiliation, who told The Bugle that the reception to these events has so far been fantastic.

“People were really appreciative of being presented with a balanced view,” said Prentis. “We bring diversity to these meetings so people are well informed. We have people who are passionate about the issue from both sides of the aisle, as well as a lot of people who are undecided.”

The referendum will ask Australians to vote on creating an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which would establish a council to advise on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues. As this would require alterations to the constitution, a referendum must be held to approve any changes. The referendum is scheduled to take place this year sometime between October and December.

Kiama Council unanimously passed a motion in May 2022 to adopt the principles of the Uluru Statement of the Heart, the document that preceded the call for a Voice to Parliament signed in 2017.

The event takes place Sunday 21 May at 7pm at Kiama Uniting Church and will be followed by a Q&A and supper, with a suggested donation of $10.