Come and join us on September 9, 2023, where we will discuss the impact of your vote (yes or no) in the upcoming Indigenous Voice referendum.

This year, between October and December, Australians will be asked to vote in a referendum on whether to enshrine an advisory group, Indigenous Voice, on issues related to Indigenous people into the Constitution.

[A proposed law:

"to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice."

Do you approve this proposed alteration?]

The Voice would be a group of elected Indigenous representatives who advise the Australian parliament and government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This could include in areas such as jobs, health, housing and justice.

The only way to change the Australian Constitution is by holding a referendum. Since Federation there have been 44 proposals for constitutional change put to Australian electors. Only 8 of these have been approved. The last referendum was held in 1999.

The Queensland Chinese Forum (QCF), being a peak body of Chinese community organisations in Queensland, proposes to host a seminar to provide essential information related to the Indigenous Voice and the referendum, to the Chinese, as well as the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities in Queensland, prior to referendum voting.

The proposed activity is in line with the QCF objective of “to provide a forum for delegates from Australian Chinese organizations in Queensland to discuss and act on domestic matters of importance affecting the Chinese community and to facilitate communication and co- operation amongst the Chinese organizations in Queensland.”