Design Institute of Australia Board’s statement on the Voice to Parliament

The DIA Board unreservedly supports enshrining an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution and the ‘yes’ position in the referendum to be held on 14 Oct 2023. The DIA Board are aware that members of the DIA community will have a diversity of views and not everyone will vote ‘yes’ and we respect that. The DIA Board encourages everyone to engage in this important democratic process with thoughtful dialogue, and with respect for First Peoples and for informed discussion.

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Image credit: Nicole Monks, YES, 2016, Everlasting flowers and sand. Photo by Casuala Powerhouse. 

For those looking to learn more, useful resources and links are listed below:

• What is the Indigenous voice to parliament, how would it work, and what happens next?

• The Uluru Statement from the Heart

• Australian Government: official referendum booklet

• Voice to Parliament: Debunking 10 Myths and misconceptions

• Understanding the Referendum from a Human Rights perspective

• The yes campaign’s voice to parliament referendum essay – annotated and factchecked

• The no campaign’s voice to parliament referendum essay – annotated and factchecked

• The Australian Electoral Commission (locate a polling site near you)

DIA – Board of Directors

Gavin Campbell FDIA, President/Chair
Professor Beck Davis FDIA, Member Director
Louise Williamson FDIA, Member Director
Ryan Russell MDIA, Member Director
Michael Rich, Independent Director
James Samargis, Independent Director

Jo-Ann Kellock FDIA (Hon), CEO
Nicole Monks, DIA Continuing Custodian Advisor

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, giving respect to Elders past, present, and future as the continuous Custodians of the land upon which the DIA National Office is located. We thank all continuing Custodians of this land who share their wisdom and knowledge; so we may all have a better understanding of this place, now known as Australia.