Professor Ian Anderson hosting series of Voice to Truth forums at University of Tasmania

Professor Ian Anderson, a palawa man and one of the most senior figures at the University of Tasmania, says the institution has a duty to inform and educate the state on the Voice to Parliament.

Professor Ian Anderson deputy vice chancellor academic UTAS who is hosting a series of events in relation to The Voice. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

One of the most senior figures at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) says the institution has a “civic role” to educate the public on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal and believes that Tasmanians “think this is a really important conversation”.

Professor Ian Anderson, UTAS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), is hosting and moderating a series of public forums, entitled Voice to Truth, aimed at improving people’s understanding of the Voice in the lead-up to the crucial referendum later this year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to announce the date for the vote in Adelaide on Wednesday.

Professor Ian Anderson deputy vice chancellor academic UTAS who is hosting a series of events in relation to The Voice. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Professor Anderson, a palawa man who was born in Devonport, said the referendum was “pretty consequential … in the history of the federation”.

“What we’re doing as a university is really fulfilling our civic role as a university that educates and helps provide information for folks so they can make an informed decision about whether they want to support or not support the referendum in about six weeks’ time,” he said.

On Thursday, Professor Marcia Langton, the co-author of the Indigenous Voice Co-Design Process report and member of the Referendum Working Group, will speak at the second of three UTAS forums at the Sir Stanley Burbury Lecture Theatre.

Also addressing the forum will be Tasmanian Aboriginal leader Rodney Dillon, who is also a member of the Referendum Working Group.

Professor Anderson said Thursday’s forum would be focused on the “journey” to the Voice referendum – from the historical and contemporary injustices and inequities experienced by indigenous people right up to the signing of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 23: Prof. Marcia Langton and members of the Referendum Working Group hold a press conference at Parliament house in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

He said the events would not be promoting a particular view on the Voice but were designed to provide people with “the best information so they can make an informed choice”.

The professor’s personal view, however, is that the Voice would make Australia a better place.

“I take the view for a number of reasons,” he said. “One is that I’ve worked in indigenous policy for most of my life and I know that governments make better decisions when [they’re] really informed by those voices on the ground.”

Professor Anderson has previously served as the chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council, as well as co-chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Council.

Originally published as Professor Ian Anderson hosting series of Voice to Truth forums at University of Tasmania