Who is involved
Two groups are working with Government on the next steps to a referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
First Nations Referendum Working Group
The Referendum Working Group, co-chaired by Minister Linda Burney and Special Envoy Patrick Dodson, includes a broad cross-section of representatives from First Nations communities across Australia.
They will provide advice to the Government on how best to ensure a successful Referendum and focus on the key questions that need to be considered in the coming months, including:
- The timing to conduct a successful referendum;
- Refining the proposed constitutional amendment and question;
- The information on the Voice necessary for a successful referendum.
Group communiques
- 29 September 2022
- 28 October 2022
- 16 November 2022
- 12 December 2022
- 2 February 2023
- 16 February 2023
- 9 March 2023
- 16 March 2023
Group news
- 23 March 2023: Constitutional amendment and referendum question announced
- 23 March 2023: Voice principles released
- 23 March 2023: Advice of the Referendum Working Group to the Government on the constitutional amendment and referendum question
First Nations Referendum Working Group members
- Mr Dale Agius
SA Commissioner for First Nations Voice - Ms Pat Anderson AO
Co-chair of Uluru Dialogue
Chairperson, Batchelor Institute - Ms Geraldine Atkinson
Co-chair, First People’s Assembly of Victoria
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups - Professor Tom Calma AO
Co-chair, Indigenous Voice Co-design groups
Chancellor, University of Canberra
Co-chair, Reconciliation Australia - Professor Megan Davis
Co-chair of Uluru Dialogue
Balnaves Chair in Constitutional Law UNSW - Mr Rodney Dillon
Chair, Tasmanian Aboriginal Heritage Council
Co-chair, Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Community Alliance - Mr Sean Gordon
Managing Director, Gidgee Group
Councillor, University of Newcastle - Dr Jackie Huggins AM FAHA
Co-chair, QLD Treaty Advancement Committee
Co-chair, National Apology Foundation - Professor Dr Marcia Langton AO
Co-chair, Indigenous Voice Co-design groups
Associate Provost, University of Melbourne - Mr Thomas Mayor
National Indigenous Officer, Maritime Union of Australia
From the Heart - Mr Tony McAvoy SC
NT Treaty Commissioner
Barrister - June Oscar AO (ex officio)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner - Mr Dean Parkin
From the Heart - Mr Noel Pearson
Founder of Cape York Institute
From the Heart
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design groups - Ms Sally Scales
Uluru Dialogue member
APY Artist - Mr Napau Pedro Stephen AM
Chairperson, Torres Strait Regional Authority - Mr Marcus Stewart
Co-chair, First People’s Assembly of Victoria
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups - Ms Pat Turner AM
Convenor of Coalition of Peaks
CEO, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design groups - The Hon Ken Wyatt AM
Former Minister for Indigenous Australians - Professor Peter Yu AM
Vice President, First Nations at ANU
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design groups - Dr Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM
Chairman, Yothu Yindi Foundation
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design groups
First Nations Referendum Engagement Group
The Referendum Engagement Group includes those on the Referendum Working Group as well as additional people from the across the country including representatives from land councils, local governments and community controlled organisations.
Read the Group's Terms of Reference on the Resources page.
They will provide advice about building community understanding, awareness and support for the referendum.
Group communiques
First Nations Referendum Engagement Group members
- Mr Richie Ah Mat
Chairperson, Cape York Land Council - Mr Thomas Amagula
Deputy Chair, Anindilyakwa Land Council - Cr Ross Andrews
Mayor, Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council
Australian Local Government Association representative
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design groups - Mr Nathan Appo
Institute of Urban Indigenous Health - Professor Muriel Bamblett AO
CEO, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency
Coalition of Peaks representative - Ms Jennifer Beale
CEO, Butucarbin Aboriginal Corporation - Professor Jack Beetson
Australian Centre for Agriculture & Law – University of New England - Mr Dameyon Bonson
Founder, Black Rainbow Living Well - Ms Wendy Brabham
Deputy Chair, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative - Mr Paul Briggs OAM
Executive Chair, Kaiela Institute - Mr Gavin Brown
CEO PwC Indigenous Consulting - Mr Selwyn Button
Chairperson, The Lowitja Institute - Mr Nicholas Cameron
Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Communities Alliance
Chair, Melythina Tiakana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation - Ms Shirleen Campbell
Tangentyere Women’s Safety Group - Cr Danny Chapman
Chairperson, NSW Aboriginal Land Council - Ms Fiona Cornforth
CEO, Healing Foundation - Dr Josie Douglas
General Manager Health Services Division, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress - Ms Katrina Fanning PSM
CEO, Coolamon Advisors
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups - Mr Tyronne Garstone
CEO, Kimberley Land Council
From the Heart - Mr Mick Gooda
Co-chair, QLD Treaty Advancement Committee
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups - Mr Damian Griffis
CEO of First Peoples Disability Network
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design groups - Ms Tanya Hosch
Executive General Manager, Inclusion & Social Policy, AFL
From the Heart - Mr Paul House
Senior Community Engagement Officer, ANU First Nations Portfolio
Board member, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups - Mr Gibson Farmer Illortaminni
Chairman, Tiwi Land Council - Ms Deborah Katona
Senior Manager Policy, Northern Land Council - Cr Esma Livermore
Deputy Mayor, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council
Australian Local Government Association representative - Mr Jamie Lowe
CEO, National Native Title Council
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups - Dr Hannah McGlade
Associate Professor, Curtin Law School - Mr Wayne Miller
CEO, Ceduna Aboriginal Corporation
Chair, Far West Community Leadership Group
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design groups - Cr Phillemon Mosby
Mayor, Torres Strait Island Regional Council
Australian Local Government Association representative - Mr Kado Muir
Activist & Impact Entrepreneur at Dilji
Social Anthropologist - Ms Karen Mundine
CEO, Reconciliation Australia
From the Heart - Ms Teela Reid
Uluru Dialogue Group
Lawyer, University of Sydney Law School - Cr Matthew Ryan
Mayor, West Arnhem Regional Council
Australian Local Government Association representative - Mr Shane Sturgiss
CEO, BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation - Mr Ian Trust AO
National Chair, Empowered Communities
Executive Chairman, Wunan Foundation - Mr Les Turner
CEO, Central Land Council - Mr Richard Weston
Deputy Children’s Guardian for Aboriginal Children and Young People (NSW)
Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups - Mr Sammy Wilson
Traditional Owner, Uluru
Former Chair, Central Land Council - Mr Scott Wilson
Lead Convenor of SA Aboriginal Community Controlled Network
Coalition of Peaks representative - Professor Asmi Wood
Professor, ANU College of Law
Constitutional Expert Group
The Constitutional Expert Group provides the Referendum Working Group with legal support on constitutional matters relating to the referendum. This includes advice on the draft referendum question and constitutional amendments proposed by the Prime Minister in his address to the Garma Festival. Its members include some of Australia’s leading legal and constitutional experts.
Constitutional Expert Group members
- Professor Greg Craven AO GCSG
- Professor Megan Davis
- Mr Kenneth Hayne AC KC
- Mr Noel Pearson
- Professor Cheryl Saunders AO
- Professor Anne Twomey AO
- Scientia Professor George Williams AO FASSA
- Professor Asmi Wood
