Statement of support for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament from the Western Sydney University Board of Trustees
Western Sydney University is deeply committed to working with Indigenous communities and appreciates the significant contributions Indigenous staff, students and Elders generously provide to the University. We are proud of the ambitious strategies that position the University as a national and international leader in Indigenous education, engagement and research – notably our 2020-2025 Indigenous Strategy and the 2023-2032 Indigenous Futures Decadal Strategy. The University is also proudly establishing an Indigenous Centre of Excellence, a landmark building that will provide an important gathering place for the community to celebrate both the University’s and region’s longstanding connection with Indigenous people. It will be an international benchmark for Indigenous education and transformational research.
Australians will soon vote in a referendum to determine whether to amend the Constitution to establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. The Board of Trustees acknowledges the diverse views held on this matter, including within the University community, and respects the opinions of all individuals. We reaffirm the University’s support of the Model Code for Protection of Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom in Australian Higher Education Providers (as proposed by the Hon. Robert French AC), which is adopted and embodied within the University’s Freedom of Speech Policy. Supporting freedom of speech recognises the importance of critical and free inquiry, informed intellectual discourse, and respectful public debate. This coexists with the University’s strategic principle of equity, underpinning our long-standing commitment to enhancing the lives of students, people and communities by promoting fairness, social justice and opportunities for success.
The Board of Trustees highly commends the University on the way it has and continues to actively enable and support free and respectful discussion, openly shared information and ideas enabling the advancement of knowledge and ultimately informed decision-making across the University and community in relation to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
The Board of Trustees supports the change to the Constitution to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. The Voice to Parliament will enable Indigenous Australians to provide their opinions on matters that impact them, their families, and communities and will play a significant role in healing the nation and in supporting our journey towards true reconciliation.
We also acknowledge the importance of ensuring Indigenous voices are embedded throughout core business in the University’s governance and management structures, ensuring Indigenous representation is meaningfully integrated throughout the University. Collectively, as members of the Board of Trustees, we are committed to empowering the diverse Indigenous communities within the Western Sydney region we serve. We reaffirm our ambition and commitment to enable and nurture the next generation of Indigenous leaders, educators and academics and to support reconciliation across our region and nation.
ENDS
10 August 2023
Professor Jennifer Westacott AO,
Chancellor, Western Sydney University
on behalf of the Western Sydney University Board of Trustees.
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