Voice Referendum

Sunday, October 01

How to vote in the referendum

‘You are part of Australia and Australia is part of you. And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others.’ These words, spoken by Pope John Paul II, now a saint, on November 29 1986 in Alice Springs, form part of a longer address he gave that day to Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in Blatherskite Park. Even though he did so 37 years ago, they are well worth reading and meditating by every Australian Catholic, particularly in the lead up to the referendum on October 14.

Research shows Voice vote on 'knife's edge'

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) has released research today suggesting the Voice referendum sits on a knife’s edge, with 56 per cent definitely or likely to vote yes and 44 per cent definitely or likely to vote no.

The Welcome to Country ceremony at the launch of the 2023 Social Justice Statement.

Call for new engagement with First Nations people

Australia’s Catholic bishops have welcomed the Voice referendum on October 14 as a “blessed opportunity” for the Church and all Australians to embark on a new engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Long wait for a voice

Lisa Buxton is executive officer of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Sydney. This is an edited version of her address at the launch of the 2023 Social Justice Statement.

Forum calls for Voice support

People of faith have been called to take action and engage with their local communities to promote the importance of a ‘yes’ vote in the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum.

NATSICC on mission to inform

South Australian Aboriginal elder John Lochowiak has urged Catholics to fully inform themselves about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament and the forthcoming referendum.

Stumbling on the path to reconciliation

There are some worrying signs that the Albanese Government is rushing into a referendum on whether an Indigenous Voice to Parliament should be enshrined in the Constitution.