Subscribe
Search
ePaper
Newsletters
Subscribe
ePaper
Newsletters
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Search
Museums & Heritage
news

Australia's National Library is seeking campaign material from the Indigenous Voice referendum

Items from "all perspectives" about the debate are being sought

Gareth Harris
24 October 2023
Share
The Voice referendum for the recognition of Indigenous Australians in the Australian constitution and a voice to parliament was defeated last week © Rob Walls / Alamy Stock Photo

The Voice referendum for the recognition of Indigenous Australians in the Australian constitution and a voice to parliament was defeated last week © Rob Walls / Alamy Stock Photo

The National Library of Australia is calling for the country’s citizens to donate material linked to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum held last week.

Australians had to vote "Yes" or "No" in the referendum on the question of whether to alter the constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people through the creation of an Indigenous advisory body (Voice to Parliament). Over 60% of Australians voted against it on 14 October.

In an article in The Conversation journal, Kylie Message, a professor of public humanities at the Australian National University, says that the National Library is calling for Australians to donate letters, “how to vote” cards, posters, pamphlets, badges, stickers, T-shirts and hats.

Aboriginal art

After referendum defeat, Indigenous Australian artists reclaim their voice in Adelaide

Tim Stone

“Campaign material from all perspectives about the Voice to Parliament debate is sought, including official ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaign materials and government education materials,” she says. The library is also seeking materials from lobby groups and local events, including those produced by First Nations Australians, from rural and regional communities, and materials in languages other than English.

Message says, “Museums must be open about letting the public in on the role that they play in producing history. This means thinking about whose voices they record, and how to represent dissenting opinions.”

In the call out, the library stated it will "sort printed material when the referendum is over. This material will be carefully stored in protective housing. The items will then be added to the Library catalogue so people can learn about the referendum."

Museums & HeritagePoliticsAustralia
Share
Subscribe to The Art Newspaper’s digital newsletter for your daily digest of essential news, views and analysis from the international art world delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter sign-up
Information
About
Contact
Cookie policy
Data protection
Privacy policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Subscription T&Cs
Terms and conditions
Advertise
Sister Papers
Sponsorship policy
Follow us
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedIn
© The Art Newspaper