WA Museum Board of Trustees Statement on First Nations Constitutional Recognition and Voice to Parliament

The Trustees of the WA Museum acknowledge that the Museum operates on the lands of Aboriginal people throughout Western Australia. As a values-led organisation, for which working with and empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is a core organisational pillar, the Board of Trustees is committed to just and equitable relationships with First Nations communities. We celebrate their generosity of spirit in sharing their lands, culture and knowledge.

The WA Museum Board of Trustees takes seriously its responsibility to act meaningfully in support of Aboriginal people across Western Australia, including our Aboriginal staff, collaborators and visitors.

The Board of Trustees endorses the Uluru Statement from the Heart and offers support for the referendum which will take place later this year to formally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution and provide them with a Voice to parliament.

The WA Museum Board notes that the details of the Voice to Parliament would be decided by Parliament, in due course. It further notes that the Voice would be an advisory body only and would not have any decision-making, or power of veto. The Board considers that constitutional recognition of our First Nations people is long overdue, and that a Voice to parliament would be a meaningful way of implementing the long-time and often-repeated request of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be consulted about issues that affect them.

The WA Museum Board respects the referendum process and seeks to contribute positively by supporting informed public debate, by acknowledging diverse opinions and perspectives, and by encouraging all members of the Australian community to engage in robust, respectful and evidence-based expression of their views.

Further information is available in the following links:

The Voice Federal Government site: https://voice.gov.au

Australian Electoral Commission: Yes/No case pamphlet - Australian Electoral Commission (aec.gov.au) [PDF] [6.2MB]

 

21 August 2023