Diversity Practitioners Association members are invited to join a virtual roundtable discussion on supporting workplaces through The Voice referendum.

As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a referendum will be held between October and December 2023 to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. You can read more about the referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice here.

As the referendum draws closer, some workplaces are choosing to have open conversations about the upcoming vote, with some organisations expressly supporting a Yes or No campaign, and some having clear direction to not discuss personal views on the vote. Regardless of our organisations’ stance, as DEI Practitioners it is important that we understand the facts, and we are mindful of employees wellbeing during this time, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who may feel increased pressure from their colleagues to be the go-to for information.

In this member roundtable we are joined by Kenny Bedford (see Kenny’s bio below) for an open Q&A about the Voice referendum, where members are encouraged to ask their own questions for a safe, respectful and informative conversation.

We encourage members to submit questions upon registration, while there will also be opportunity for members to ask questions either in an open forum or using the chat feature during the event. All DPA members have been sent an invitation to join this event. To join the DPA and have access to member-only events, click here.

About Kenny Bedford

Kenny is from the Meruam Tribe of Erub, Torres Strait and was the Co-Convenor for the Thursday Island Referendum Council Dialogue.

Kenny attended the Uluru Constitutional Convention in May 2017 and is a signatory to the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

He is a board director of Reconciliation Australia, a member of the National NAIDOC Committee, a former Deputy Mayor of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council and former Torres Strait Regional Authority Member for Erub.