Cairns Virtual Voice Town Hall

You're invited to a virtual townhall to learn more about the Voice Referendum.

Together with special guests, Barrister and proud Mamu and Gunggandji woman Melia Benn, Yes23 Advocate and proud Waikaid and Meuram woman Stacee Ketchell, CEO of Cape York Partnership Fiona Jose and Senator for Queensland Nita Green, we will talk about why constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a Voice to Parliament is a crucial step on the path to creating a better future. 

Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions, share their feedback and learn about ways to engage in their local communities. 

What: Cairns Virtual Voice Town Hall
When: Wednesday 6 September at 6.30 pm AEST
Where: Online

This is an opportunity for the Cairns law community to come together, learn and engage in a constructive conversation about the Voice Referendum and its potential impact. 

The Voice is a key reform in the Uluru Statement from the Heart which asks all Australians to recognise the rightful place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in their own country by establishing and enshrining a First Nations Voice in the Constitution. We wholeheartedly accept this invitation and invite you to join us to walk together towards this historic reform.

About the speakers

Melia Benn is Mamu and Gunggandji. She is one of only two Aboriginal women barristers practicing at the Queensland Bar. Melia was called to the Bar in 2018. Prior to being called to the Bar Melia worked as a Prosecutor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Counsel Assisting the Coroner for the Office of the State Coroner. At the bar Melia has a broad practice in class action proceedings, coronial inquests, discrimination and human rights matters. 

Stacee Ketchell is a proud Waikaid and Meuram woman from Zenadth Kes, co-founder and current Deputy Chairperson of DIYDG and youth coordinator at Yes23. Stacee has developed her leadership and advocacy for social change throughout Far North Queensland remote communities.

Senator Nita Green was admitted as a solicitor in Queensland in 2015 and worked as an Employment Lawyer at Maurice Blackburn, representing workers in sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal cases. In 2017, Nita was the Queensland Field Director for the successful Equality Campaign and then worked as an organiser for the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union fighting for the rights of Queensland workers. Nita was elected as a Senator for Queensland and in 2019 and has her office based in Cairns, Far North Queensland.

Fiona Jose is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and Chief Executive Officer of Cape York Partnership – an Indigenous organisation driving a comprehensive reform agenda improving the lives of Indigenous families in Cape York.  She is a fierce advocate for a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice to Parliament.