The Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Executive supports an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

CAUTHE acknowledges the indigenous peoples, Traditional Custodians, and First Nations of the countries in and on which we live, work and study, and their ongoing cultural connections to land, sea and community. In Australia, we pay our respect to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In Aotearoa | New Zealand we acknowledge Tangata Whenua (People of the Land) and the rights and authority agreed within Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In the great Moana-nui | Pacific we acknowledge the many indigenous peoples that are connected together by the ocean, culture and cosmology.

Australians will be voting at a national referendum on October 14. The Proposed Law is to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to the Australian Parliament.

CAUTHE’s mission and strategy are firmly grounded in diversity, inclusivity and collegiality. The Executive supports a Yes position, as it reflects our commitment to the CAUTHE Pledge, the CAUTHE Be Kind campaign, and the Association’s support for Indigenous tourism, hospitality and events research and education.

We recognise that the referendum is an individual decision, and that there is diversity in opinion. In the spirit of CAUTHE, we encourage respectful, open and kind communication – both as we head towards the vote, and beyond.

If you would like to know more about the Referendum, and the Yes position, please visit:

https://aec.gov.au/referendums/

https://www.yes23.com.au/

Professor Erica Wilson
CAUTHE Chair