What will a Voice to Parliament actually mean? Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and legendary journalist Kerry O’Brien have worked together to write an accessible and engaging guide to this question. Whether you want to understand more about the Voice or would like some clear answers to share in conversations with others, this is a great opportunity to join an inspiring discussion of what our shared future can be. Thomas and Kerry are joined by Jennifer Robinson.
"The referendum will be a rare opportunity for Australians to improve our nation’s standing in the world, and vastly improve the lives of Indigenous peoples, with a single act of reconciliation." Thomas Mayo
"This is such a simple proposition for the people of Australia to endorse, and let the Parliament decide how it will work. What a powerful and uplifting expression of our democracy." Kerry O’Brien
This event is open captioned.
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Thomas Mayo (Australian)
Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. He is the National Indigenous Officer of the MUA. Thomas is a signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has been a leading advocate since its inception in May 2017. He is the Chairperson of the Northern Territory Indigenous Labor Network and a director on the Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition Board. Thomas is the author of six books published by Hardie Grant and has many articles and essays published across the major media providers. His latest book is co-authored with well-respected journalist, Kerry O’Brien: The Voice to Parliament Handbook - All the details you need; published 17 May 2023.
Kerry O'Brien (Australian)
Kerry O’Brien is one of Australia’s most respected journalists with six Walkley Awards including the Gold Walkley and the Walkley for outstanding leadership. In his decades at the ABC he reported for the trail-blazing current affairs programs This Day Tonight and Four Corners, presented Lateline for six years, 7.30 for fifteen years and Four Corners for five. In 2019 he was inducted into the television industry hall of fame. He has covered all the big historic Indigenous issues of his time, including land rights, deaths in custody, Mabo, the Stolen Generations’ inquiry, the birth and death of ATSIC, the intervention and the Uluru Statement from the Heart. He was a member of the Eminent Panel advising the Queensland Government on a path to treaty.
Jennifer Robinson (Australian)
Jennifer Robinson is an Australian human rights, media lawyer and feminist, who is internationally recognised for her work. She represented Amber Heard in relation to Johnny Depp's 2020 defamation case in the UK and has defended Julian Assange and advised WikiLeaks since 2010. She is a practicing barrister at Doughty Street Chambers in London and has acted in key human rights, freedom of speech and information cases before the British courts, international and regional courts and UN special mechanisms.
