Indigenous Voice to Parliament Forum for Monash University professional staff

Through analogy and story, panellists Jamil Tye, Director, William Cooper Institute and Professor Melissa Castan, Director, Castan Centre for Human Rights Law explained the issues and debate around the Voice.

(L-R) Professor Melissa Castan, Director, Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, Jamil Tye, Director, William Cooper Institute, and Andrew Trounson, Senior Adviser, Corporate Communications

9 May 2023

Monash University Marketing, Admissions and Communications (UMAC) professionals recently attended an Indigenous Voice to Parliament Forum. The event provided the opportunity for colleagues to learn more and ask questions about this transformative moment in Australia’s history.

The referendum later this year will ask Australians to decide whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution through a Voice to Parliament. Discussing what we are being asked to do and why, will help colleagues better understand the Voice debate personally, and at work, to navigate communications activities.

Through analogy and story, the panellists Jamil Tye, Director, William Cooper Institute and Professor Melissa Castan, Director, Castan Centre for Human Rights Law explained the issues and debate around the Voice simply and compellingly.

Monash University colleagues found the discussion engaging and were inspired by the use of story and analogy on the topics and issues covered which helped to clarify the many complexities around the Voice debate. One colleague reflected on the Forum saying, "Absolutely essential content. I’m inspired to be working for a place that is genuinely engaged in building the knowledge of its people, to equip us to be properly informed and capable of undertaking progressive dialogue on a matter fundamental to our identities."

The perspectives of the panel provided a context to navigate the wide-ranging discourse underway and recognise the Uluru Statement of the Heart is a call to action from Indigenous Australians; urging us all to acknowledge them in the constitution through a Voice to Parliament. Equipped with more knowledge, Monash University staff will ignite many more conversations; whether with family or colleagues, to create more understanding and dialogue on the referendum.

Thank you to Andrew Trounson, Simone Sampos, Emma Paolucci and Sophie Vidinovski from the UMAC team for bringing this thought-provoking event together.

Learn more

Researchers at the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law continue to compile timely factsheets, articles, publications, and multimedia content on our First Nations Voice to Parliament Resources Website. This resource space is focused on supporting and responding to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, offering easily accessible public educational materials and thorough legal analyses to keep you well-informed throughout this year. We work closely with the William Cooper Institute and Monash University to highlight our contributions to a democratic referendum. For more information on Monash University’s commitment see monash.edu/voice.