Dubbo locals will have a chance to have their say on the creation of an Indigenous voice for the nation.
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Indigenous Voice co-design members are travelling the country and will stop off in Dubbo next week to gather feedback on proposals for Local and Regional Voices, and a National Voice.
It's all part of a federal government push - announced by Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt in 2019 - to develop in detail what an Indigenous Voice could look like and how it could work.
Co-chair of the senior advisory group for the Indigenous Voice co-design process, Professor Tom Calma said in recent Australian history, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices hadn't always been heard when it came to the creation of laws and policies that impacted them directly.
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"A voice to parliament and government is important, it provides a way for our representatives to give advice to government on things that matter to us and affect us," he said.
"The Indigenous Voice would be a way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to share our views with the parliament, the government and to work in partnership."
The proposed Indigenous Voice would be made up of two parts, that would work together - the Local and Regional Voice, and the National Voice.
Local and Regional Voices would be community designed and led governance structures at a regional level.
Local and Regional Voices would be guided by a flexible principles-based network, which would allow for different structures in different regions. It would respond to the diverse circumstances of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people and build on existing arrangements that work well.
The National Voice would be a national body made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and would provide a voice to the parliament and Australian government on laws, policies and programs.
Professor Calma said an Indigenous Voice is a step toward lasting change for the future, and for the future on young Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people.
"It would be involved early and throughout the decision processes, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples perspectives are considered before decisions are made," he said.
Public consultation and input is critical to ensure the best possible proposals are presented by the Indigenous Voice co-design groups in their final report to the Australian government.
All Australians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are invited to attend to provide feedback on the proposals.
The free public consultation sessions will be held at the Dubbo RSL Memorial club on Monday, March 22.
There will be two sessions one from 9.30am to 12.30pm, and 2pm to 5pm.
For tickets register at www.eventbite.com.au
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