University peak body backs the referendum but not the Voice
Australia’s universities have collectively welcomed the Indigenous Voice referendum but have not said yes to the Voice.
Peak university body Universities Australia welcomed on Tuesday the coming referendum on the voice but fell short of full-throated backing for the Yes case.
After a meeting of vice-chancellors that preceded Universities Australia’s annual conference, the body said it “welcomes the forthcoming referendum to establish a First Nations voice enshrined in the Constitution”.
Universities Australia said it would work with member universities to “promote and facilitate sector-wide discussion about the First Nations voice to parliament”.
The statement contrasted with University of NSW, which last week “affirmed its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and its call to enshrine a First Nations voice in the Constitution”.
In its statement Universities Australia pointed to its indigenous strategy which presented “a series of values which acknowledge that true partnerships between universities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities both within and outside universities are essential to delivering the best outcomes”.
“Such partnerships should give voice to Indigenous people in decision making that affects them,” it said.
“As leading centres of learning and scholarship, universities are uniquely placed to educate our communities in relation to important social and political issues.”
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