Referendum forum

Voices for Monash is holding a community information evening regarding the Indigenous Voice to Parliament on Thursday June 15 from 7pm at the Wonthaggi Workmen’s Club.

The event, which is expected to run for an hour and a half includes three panel members, providing their insights on the topic.

Voices for Monash said the evening is designed to give information to the public, dispel any myths or misinformation, and provide confidence for people to cast their vote in the upcoming referendum.

“It will also help arm people with factual information to continue conversations with others in their day to day lives,” a spokesperson said.

“We hope that attendees will stay afterward for a drink and a social chat.”

Panel

The event will include a panel of speakers, with an opportunity for questions from the audience.

“We are honoured to have three very knowledgeable and experienced panel members who will each give a short talk about various aspects of Voice proposal,” the spokesperson said.

The panel includes:

Amy Rust, a Kokatha woman, Head of Engagement and Communication with the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria and currently involved in running the elections of the Assembly.

Rueben Berg, a Gundtijmara man and Member of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria. As an elected member, he has helped inform communities of the Treaty process and participated in negotiations with the state government regarding the Treaty Negotiation Framework and the Self Determination Fund. 

Sarah Maddison, Professor of Political Science at the University of Melbourne. She is also a Director of the Australian Centre, which is home to Australia's first Professional Certificate in Treaty. Her expertise includes reconciliation and conflict transformation, Indigenous-settler relations, and democratic dialogue.

Former independent Federal candidate Deb Leonard will MC the event.

Ms Leonard urged people not to miss the event, describing it as a “valuable opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and learn more about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament”.

Voices of Monash is a community organisation which aims to support engagement and citizen democracy in the community and is not affiliated with any political party or organisation.

This event is free but numbers are limited, so guests are asked register their attendance at: events.humanitix.com/voices-to-parliament-information-night

Information about the referendum and The Voice: voice.gov.au