9 August, 2023

Diversity Council Australia’s annual Oration to tackle corporate role in Voice referendum at Federation Square

University of Canberra Portraits of Chancellor Tom Calma

As Australians prepare to cast their votes in the Voice referendum, Diversity Council Australia will host a discussion of the implications surrounding this decision at its fifth annual Anna McPhee Memorial Oration.

This event will give Australian organisations the information they need to educate employees about this decision, and present a case for why they should advocate for the Voice.

Sponsored by Cisco Australia, the 2023 Oration will be delivered by Kungarakan Elder, Professor Tom Calma AO, co-author of the Indigenous Voice Co-design Process Report and 2023 Senior Australian of the Year.

Professor Calma will address key concerns raised in the debate so far including how the Voice will work, how it will benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Australia more broadly and what the Voice’s defeat would mean for reconciliation.

“Over the past 65 years alone six major Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative bodies have existed, and the majority have been shut down or have had cause to be shut down by an incoming government,” Professor Calma said.

“Report after report have recommended that government change their business plans and modus operandi to better meet the needs and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

“We need a Voice so that future Governments will make better policies and implement programs that will make a practical difference for First Nations people. This referendum is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change our Constitution and place our Nation on a pathway to a better future.”

Following the Oration, Professor Nareen Young, Associate Dean (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement) at UTS Business School will be joined by Ian Hamm, Chairperson, First Nations Foundation, Antoinette Braybrook AM, CEO Djirra and Julie Canepa, Director Digital Transformation CX APJC, Cisco to discuss the role Australian businesses play in the lead up to the referendum, including:

Why and how corporates should advocate for the Voice
Informing and educating staff on ESG matters
How to ensure Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees feel supported during the debate and,
How all of us can engage and persuade those who are unsure of whether to support the Voice.

DCA’s 2023 Anna McPhee Memorial Oration will take place on Wednesday 30 August 2023, 11:30am – 2.30pm at Zinc at Fed Square, Federation Square, Melbourne.

Featured Image: Kungarakan Elder, Professor Tom Calma AO

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Diversity Council Australia Federation Square Voice referendum