Culture
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are a critical part of our national identity.
As Australians, we can all be proud to be the home of one of the oldest continuous civilisations on Earth, extending back over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s strong connection to family, land, language, and culture forms the foundation for social, economic, and individual wellbeing. This is integral to efforts to close the gap.
Our work contributes to improving respect and appreciation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, support cultural identity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and social cohesion for all Australians.
Through the Culture and Capability Programme of the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, we provide funding to support the maintenance and strengthening of Indigenous cultural expression and conservation. Projects funded are designed to increase Indigenous Australians’ participation in the social and economic life of Australia, through healing, and strengthening existing capabilities.
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Empowered Communities
The Australian Government is committed to working in partnership with First Nations leaders and communities, supporting First Nations ownership, and recognising the diverse cultures and circumstances of First Nations Australians. This aligns with the Government’s commitment to ensure First Nations communities are involved in community-led decision-making under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
One example of this approach is the First Nations designed and led Empowered Communities model, which is active in 10 regions around Australia.
Empowered Communities (EC) brings First Nations people to the table with governments as trusted partners. EC empowers First Nations people to share their on-the-ground knowledge to shape better decisions that affect them.
For more information about Empowered Communities:
View more details about other examples of how the Australian Government is supporting empowerment in First Nations communities:
Uluru Statement from the Heart in full
The Australian Government has committed to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.
The Statement calls for:
- a First Nations Voice to be permanently included in the Constitution
- the establishment of a Makarrata Commission to supervise agreement-making and truth-telling about our history.
On 14 October 2023, a referendum was held on whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. The referendum did not pass.
Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
On 14 October 2023, Australians voted in a referendum about whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. It was the first referendum of the 21st century.
The referendum did not pass.
The question that was put to the Australian people at the 2023 referendum was:
"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 proposed law Australians were asked to approve at the referendum would have inserted a new section into the Constitution:
"Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:
I. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
II. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
III.The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.”
The referendum question and constitutional amendment were announced by the Prime Minister on 23 March 2023, and were settled following consultation with the First Nations Referendum Working Group.
The referendum question and constitutional amendment were set out in the Constitutional Alteration Bill that was passed by both Houses of Parliament on 19 June 2023.
More information
- Constitutional recognition
- The Voice design principles
- The referendum groups who assisted government in the lead up to the referendum
Resources
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice website on the Trove archive
- Joint Select Committee (2018) Final Report – Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- Joint Select Committee (2018) Interim Report – Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- Joint Select Committee (2018) Appointment of Resolution - Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
- Referendum Council on the Trove archive
- Joint Select Committee website
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