Ideas & Society Program: Reflections on the Referendum for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament

At a ceremony on Wurundjeri Country in Melbourne, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian Government officially started the negotiation of the first Statewide Treaty. Assembly Co-chair, Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Dhudhuroa woman Ngarra Murray gave a historic speech, stating that this process would herald an end to over 200 years of government policy causing more harm than good to Aboriginal people in Victoria. “When it comes to Aboriginal communities, cultures and languages, the experts are Aboriginal people. Through this shared journey to Treaty, we’ll be looking to make sure Aboriginal communities can use local knowledge to come up with practical solutions at a local level,” said Ms Murray.

This special joint oration was delivered by Leanne Miller AM and Prof Julie Andrews to mark the annual Molly Hadfield Oration celebration, hosted by Darebin City Council.

In a speech campaigning for the Yes vote in the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum, Crooks reflects on how the prevailing Australian anthropology fails to recognise Aboriginal peoples and history, and the role played by colonists in threatening their existence. Crooks goes on to dismantle the 'no' case, urging listeners to grasp this opportunity to take a step in correcting years of oppression of and disregard for Aboriginal peoples, culture and history.