Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has revealed that 14 October 2023 will be the date that Australians will vote on whether to establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Voters will be asked whether they support the Voice, which would serve as an independent advisory board to the government on issues affecting Indigenous Australians. 

The board would be able to make recommendations to the Government, but not actually pass or vote on legislation. It will not deliver services directly either.

As the Voice would require amendments to Australia’s constitution, voters must pass a majority vote in a referendum for it to become law. The last time Australia voted in a referendum was in 1999 to decide whether to establish Australia as a republic, which only received 45 per cent support.

Australians have already seen intense debates surrounding The Voice before a voting date was even set. To gain a better understanding of exactly what is at stake if The Voice is successful, and the arguments both for and against The Voice, read The Bugle’s analysis here.