Co-chairs announced for Indigenous voice co-design process

Indigenous leaders Professor Tom Calma AO and Professor Dr Marcia Langton AM will co-chair a Senior Advisory Group that will lead the co-design process to develop local, regional and national elements of an Indigenous voice to government.

Professor Dr Langton is a previous member of the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians (2012) and has been appointed as the first Associate Provost at the University of Melbourne.

‘Our role is to advise the Minister and to listen to Indigenous Australians about their aspirations about options for a model that will ensure that Indigenous Australians are heard at all levels of government,’ Professor Dr Langton said.

Professor Calma AO is the Chancellor of the University of Canberra and has previously served as the Race Discrimination Commissioner and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.

‘We're in a very good position I think, the Minister for Indigenous Australians is an Indigenous Australian, the Prime Minister has indicated his support for the process and both Marcia and I are committed to giving it our best shot,’ Professor Calma said.

The Senior Advisory Group will be majority Indigenous, made up of up to 20 leaders and experts from across the country who will draw on their skills and experience. The full membership will be announced soon.

Separate regional and national co-design groups will also be established to develop models to enhance local/regional decision-making and a national voice to test across the country.

The co-design process will consist of two stages to develop and refine models to enhance local and regional decision making and a national voice to government.

• Stage One - two co-design groups (Local & Regional and National), will develop models to improve local and regional decision-making and a national voice.
• Stage Two - consultation and engagement to refine models with Indigenous leaders, communities and stakeholders across the country.

How to get involved

There will be opportunities to engage throughout the co-design process. Opportunities and events will be promoted via the indigenous.gov.au newsletter and social media channels.

You can also email your ideas regarding the process to us at co-designvoice@niaa.gov.au.

Or you can contact your local NIAA Regional Network Office.