Later this year, Australians will vote in a referendum to decide whether to amend the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The amendment would create a ‘Voice’ with authority to make ‘representations’ to the Parliament or Executive government on ‘matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’. Much of the debate so far has focused on what role, if any, courts might play if the referendum is passed and a Voice is established. In practice, however, the regular operation of the Voice will depend primarily on its interaction with Parliament and the executive branch of government. As the Solicitor-General noted in the advice released on 21 April, the new constitutional provision is designed as an ‘enhancement’ of the Australian system of representative and responsible government.

This second Conversation in the series organised by the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies at Melbourne Law School will explain and explore the roles that the institutions of Parliament and government might and could play in relation to the Voice. Like other events in the series, its aim is to draw on legal and other professional expertise to inform Australians about the proposal on which all of us will vote towards the end of the year. This Conversation will tackle the issues raised by the interaction between the Voice, government and Parliament in a way that is grounded in an understanding of how government and Parliament work. It will focus on each of the Houses of Parliament, the Ministers and Cabinet, and the public service. For this purpose, we will be joined by four participants with significant experience in or in dealing with Parliament and executive government. The event will be held both in person and online, on Tuesday 2 May at 5.30 pm.

Panel

Dr Monique Ryan – Federal member for Kooyong
Mr Terry Moran AC – Former Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Dr Rosemary Laing – Former Clerk of the Senate
Ms Catherine Liddle – CEO, SNAICC

A conversation about government, Parliament and the Voice