National

Linda Burney announces voice information program

By AAP Newswire

May 21, 2023

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney. — Linda Burney has announced an information program to prepare Australians for the voice referendum. -AAP Image

An information program on the upcoming voice to parliament referendum is being launched by the federal government, involving television and radio commercials and translations in a number of languages.

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Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney says the program will encourage Australians to get ready for the conversation about recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through establishing a voice.

"All Australians need to be well-informed with access to a trusted source of information as they consider the proposal to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia through a referendum," she said in a statement.

Under the program voters can learn about the proposal through Voice.gov.au ahead of the referendum to be held between October and December this year.

Ms Burney said the "neutral civics information" was one part of the government's broader civics education program to help all Australians answer questions they may have around the proposed change to the Constitution.

In parallel, the Museum of Australian Democracy and Constitution Education Fund Australia is set to deliver a grassroots civics program focusing on general information about the Constitution and referendum processes in the coming months.

The minister said the information program would give Australians everything they need to make an informed decision at the referendum and it would reach audiences of every background.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press