Call to action by Indigenous voice co-chairs

Professor Dr Marcia Langton AO and Professor Tom Calma AO, co-chairs of the Senior Advisory Group leading the Indigenous voice co-design process, have outlined the importance of the process in a new video on the voice website.

‘An Indigenous voice will ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are heard on the issues that affect us,' Professor Calma said.

The co-design groups are considering the enormous diversity across Indigenous Australia.

'We must make sure that our model takes into account that enormous diversity and the very real differences between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups across Australia. In fact, diversity is one of our great strengths,' Professor Langton said.

The co-design process is well underway, with options and models for local, regional, and national voices being developed by three co-design groups ahead of government consideration by November this year.

The Senior Advisory Group, along with two co-design groups are working on the process – the Local & Regional Co-design Group and the National Co-design Group.

The Local & Regional Group is looking at how Indigenous Australians in local and regional communities can come together so their voices are heard. This includes greater input into local and regional decision-making.

The National Co-design Group is looking at what a voice could look like at a national level. This includes what type of structure, membership and functions it could have, and how it would operate.

All three groups are made up of Australians from a diverse range of backgrounds. They bring significant skills and experience to the co-design process. All groups also have a majority of Indigenous members.

All Australians will be invited to provide feedback on models for an Indigenous voice during public consultation, expected to commence later this year and running through to early next year.