Statement from Professor Tom Calma AO

26 November, 2019

Statement from Professor Tom Calma AO:
I am honoured to accept the invitation from The Hon. Ken Wyatt AM Minister for Indigenous Australians to Co-Chair the Senior Advisory Group of the Indigenous Voice co-design process.

This is an important next step to articulate how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are to be included in the decision making process of government.

As Co-Chair of the Senior Advisory Group my role is to listen and reflect the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to develop in partnership models for a voice.

Given the significance of this process and to avoid any perception of conflict I have asked the Board of Reconciliation Australia for a leave of absence while I undertake this work.

Reconciliation Australia’s role in supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart and constitutional reform remains unchanged.