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Recorded Webinar (5 Oct 2023)
Transcript
Hi I'm Jen Blyth, the CEO of Deaf Australia. This video is about the Voice Referendum on the 14th of October regarding the proposed change to the constitution, known as the Voice Referendum. We know that there are limited resources available in Auslan, so on Thursday the 5th of October, we will be having a webinar on Zoom in the evening. We encourage you to register to watch this webinar to learn more about the referendum, what will happen and the two different views for the yes and the no vote.
We have some video resources available on our website that touch on the different perspectives, what the Voice to Parliament means and how it’s come about. As well as the opposing views.
This Thursday, 5th of October, Deaf Connect and Deaf Australia have collaborated to make sure that this event could happen.
It will be facilitated by Jody Barney – Deaf Aboriginal/South Sea Islander Urangan/Birra-Gubba. Jody will be facilitating the webinar alongside four participants. Those other participants include Professor Kerry Arabena - Meriam people of Torres Strait, from First 1000 Days Australia. Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe – DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara, representing the No Campaign. Keiren Stewart-Assheton, Wani-Wandi man of Yuin Nation from the Black Peoples Union, this organisation aims to empower Indigenous people in Australia to achieve full self-determination, sovereignty, independence from external intervention. Keiren represents the No vote. Andrea Mason OAM, Ngaanyatjarra and Karonie woman, who was one of the Disability Royal Commissioners, will be speaking to the Yes campaign.
This panel will discuss both the Yes and No sides for the upcoming referendum, and share their views with the Deaf Community. We welcome and encourage you to register to join the zoom. Also if you have any questions that you would like to ask the speakers, please let us know in advance. You can ask your questions in Auslan via a video call, sending in a video, or via SMS or email. You can also ask through our social media channels, like Facebook. Whatever way you would like to ask your question, you can. You may also have other questions about someone’s stance in voting Yes/No or in relation to the referendum.
Please join us on Thursday evening, I think it's very important to understand and learn more about this. I will be joining the webinar too.
Also, I’d like to apologise, I don't know the signs for the countries or locations and backgrounds of the First Nations speakers that will be joining us. One of my goals is to learn the names and signs of all the First Nations groups.
Thank you. We hope you will join us.
Visual description
Front slide: Deaf Australia and Deaf Connect logos are white at the top of the slide. The background is orange, yellow, red and black with a pattern of Aboriginal art. Front slide text reads: "Special Message from Jen. Webinar on 5th October – Join Us!"
Visual description video: Jen is standing against a white brick wall, wearing a black t-shirt and glasses. She is signing in a clear and professional manner towards the camera.
Closing slide: Background features a gradient red, orange and yellow overlaid with an Aboriginal art pattern. The top features Deaf Australia and Deaf Connect logos. Copy reads "To learn more about The Voice, watch our Forum on Thursday 5th October. Register on our website: deafaustralia.org.au/the-voice-referendum"
THE VOICE REFERENDUM: VIDEO SERIES #1
How we arrived to The Voice?
Transcript
We'd like to share some historical events. For over 65,000 years and counting, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been here as Australia's First Nations peoples.
In 1788, the British invaded and colonised Australia.
In 1901, the British colonies were united following the establishment of the Constitution to become one nation – Australia.
In 1967, the Australian Government held a Referendum to amend the Constitution to give First Nations peoples the right to vote. The national majority of the votes was yes. First Nations peoples finally had the same rights as others to vote.
In 2008, the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered a formal apology to First Nations peoples for the Stolen Generations with the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. The government wanted us all to move on together.
In 2017, the Uluru Statement from the heart was adopted. First Nations peoples gathered at Uluru to discuss their feelings and hopes in imagining an improved future where the Government listens. We proposed The Voice to the Government. And now we want you all to listen to us.
In 2023, The Australian Government has asked Australia in a Referendum if they want to vote yes or no to amend the Constitution to recognise the First Nations by establishing The Voice.
Visual descriptions
Opening slide: Background features a gradient red, orange and yellow overlaid with an Aboriginal art pattern. The top features Deaf Australia and Deaf Connect logos. Title reads "The Voice Referendum: Video Series #1. How we arrived to the Voice?"
Video: Deaf Indigenous person Haley is standing against an orange, yellow and red background. They are wearing a black t-shirt and have short, dark, curly hair. They are signing in a professional manner towards the camera.
Closing slide: Background features a gradient red, orange and yellow overlaid with an Aboriginal art pattern. The top features Deaf Australia and Deaf Connect logos. Copy reads "To learn more about The Voice, watch our Forum on Thursday 5th October. Register on our website: deafaustralia.org.au/the-voice-referendum"
THE VOICE REFERENDUM: VIDEO SERIES #2
What is The Voice?
Transcript
What is the Voice and what does it mean when people talk about the Yes or No vote? Soon there will be a referendum, where Parliament is asking all of Australia if the constitution should have an addition to establish the Voice.
If the national majority of the votes are yes, the Voice will be established. The Voice will comprise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Voice will give advice and input to The Australian Government and Parliament.
If the national majority of the votes are no, the Voice will not be established and no constitutional change will happen.
Visual descriptions
Opening slide: Background features a gradient red, orange and yellow overlaid with an Aboriginal art pattern. The top features Deaf Australia and Deaf Connect logos. Title reads "The Voice Referendum: Video Series #2. What is The Voice?"
Video: Deaf Indigenous person Shadrach is standing against an orange, yellow and red background. They are wearing a black t-shirt and have dark hair pulled back into a bun and a beard. They are signing in a professional manner towards the camera.
Closing slide: Background features a gradient red, orange and yellow overlaid with an Aboriginal art pattern. The top features Deaf Australia and Deaf Connect logos. Copy reads "To learn more about The Voice, watch our Forum on Thursday 5th October. Register on our website: deafaustralia.org.au/the-voice-referendum"
THE VOICE REFERENDUM: VIDEO SERIES #3
The Voice debate
Transcript
[Shadrach, signing to camera] What is the Voice and what are does it mean when people talk about the Yes or No vote.[Shadrach, representing No] We're not sure if the Voice has the power to create change? It feels like tokenism.[Haley, representing Yes] The Voice will be enshrined in the Constitution without the risk of successive governments removing the body ensuring they listen to us.[Shadrach, representing Yes] First Nations peoples deserve to be represented in Parliament.[Haley, representing No] First Nations peoples want the Truth and Treaty to be signed first, they don't want the change in the constitution.[Haley, representing Yes] The Voice can support the Truth and Treaty process.[Shadrach, representing No] The Voice, First Nations peoples say we should be focusing on advocating for our land to be given back, why must we follow the parliament and their white ways, controlling us?[Haley, representing No] If we vote yes, that would affect all of Australia, people and towns would be divided.[Shadrach, representing Yes] First Nations peoples continue to face systemic discrimination and barriers including health, education, in custody and other systems. The Voice will provide an opportunity to address these barriers.[Haley, signing to camera] You decide whether to vote yes or no.
Visual descriptions
Opening slide: Background features a gradient red, orange and yellow overlaid with an Aboriginal art pattern. The top features Deaf Australia and Deaf Connect logos. Title reads "The Voice Referendum: Video Series #3. The Voice debate"
Video: Deaf Indigenous people Haley and Shadrach are standing against an orange, yellow and red background. They are both wearing black t-shirts. Haley is on the left side of the screen, has short curly dark hair. Shadrach is on the right side of the screen, and has dark hair pulled back into a bun and a dark beard. They are signing in a professional manner towards each other and the camera.
Closing slide: Background features a gradient red, orange and yellow overlaid with an Aboriginal art pattern. The top features Deaf Australia and Deaf Connect logos. Copy reads "To learn more about The Voice, watch our Forum on Thursday 5th October. Register on our website: deafaustralia.org.au/the-voice-referendum"
THE VOICE REFERENDUM: VIDEO SERIES #4
Racism and The Voice
Transcript
The Voice referendum has highlighted a range of different perspectives, including amongst First Nations people. Whether people decide to vote yes or no, it is important to respect everyone's views.
We want to acknowledge that some of the dialogue associated with the Voice has undertones of racism. To clarify, racism means to discriminate against people based on their race or ethnic background. It's when individuals or groups of people treat others unfairly, because they belong to a different racial or ethnic group.
With the upcoming referendum there has been some conversations influenced by racism about the Voice. Some comments about the Voice include:
- It is racist and will exclude people who are not First Nations peoples.
- The constitutional change will mean everything will need approval by First Nations peoples who will have full control.
- It will divide the country based on people's skin colour.
- It will give full land back and kick non-Indigenous people out of the country.
None of this is true. These comments are based on focusing on the colour of people's skin. It is important to recognise that First Nations peoples continue to face systemic discrimination and barriers. The Voice is a recommendation to close the gap as put forward from the Uluru Statement. Whilst there are many recommendations to close the gap as put forward by the Uluru Statement, the Voice is the one put forward for the referendum.
You decide whether to vote yes or no.
Visual descriptions
Opening slide: Background features a gradient red, orange and yellow overlaid with an Aboriginal art pattern. The top features Deaf Australia and Deaf Connect logos. Title reads "The Voice Referendum: Video Series #4. Racism and The Voice"
Video: Deaf Indigenous person Haley is standing against an orange, yellow and red background. They are wearing a black t-shirt and have short, dark, curly hair. They are signing in a professional manner towards the camera.
Closing slide: Background features a gradient red, orange and yellow overlaid with an Aboriginal art pattern. The top features Deaf Australia and Deaf Connect logos. Copy reads "To learn more about The Voice, watch our Forum on Thursday 5th October. Register on our website: deafaustralia.org.au/the-voice-referendum"
Additional Resources
Series of Auslan videos about The Voice Referendum from SBS
Voting in a referendum Auslan video
Videos with transcript from the AEC
Practice voting tool from
the AEC
Easy Read materials from the AEC
Covering the Constitution, the process of a referendum, enrolment and voting.
Virtual interpreting available from the AEC
A virtual Auslan interpreting service in every polling place that will be available from the start of early voting on Monday 2 October through to close of voting on Saturday 14 October.
Historical Timeline Leading to The Voice
Glossary of Terms
(in English)