Welcome to "The Voice and the Right to Self-Determination," a thought-provoking conversation event that delves into a crucial topic that resonates with the upcoming vote in Australia.
We will explore the significance of self-determination specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who are recognized as Australia's first peoples. The right to self-determination for Indigenous communities is an ongoing process of choice, aimed at meeting their social, cultural, and economic needs, rather than creating a separate Indigenous "state." Its importance lies in acknowledging their historical position, combating disadvantage, and enabling the full recovery from colonization and dispossession.
Join our conversation leaders as we delve into the intricacies of self-determination, constitutional reform, the rights of Australia's first peoples, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Together, we can foster a deeper understanding of these critical issues and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future for all
Chris Croker
Chris is a Luritja man from Central Australia. He is an experienced senior executive and strategy advisor with expertise in Indigenous economic development, asset management, corporate strategy and infrastructure construction over a 25-year period.
He has been the Managing Director of Impact IP since 2016 held positions with leading companies including state-owned electricity utility - Horizon Power, international strategy consulting firm - Boston Consulting Group and Australian mining and civil engineering contractor – Henry Walker Eltin.
Chris holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School and a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) from the University of Queensland. Chris is also a project steering committee member for the First Nations Clean Energy Network, chair of CASSE Australia and board member of Australians Community Foundation and Desert Knowledge Australia.
Dr Shireen Morris
A constitutional lawyer, senior lecturer and director of the Radical Centre Reform Lab at Macquarie University Law School. She has spent the last 12 years working with Indigenous leaders like Noel Pearson and working with Cape York Institute, devising and advocating the concept of a constitutionally guaranteed Indigenous Voice, which was the subject of her 2017 PhD thesis.
Since 2020, Shireen has been particularly focussed on building multicultural and multifaith support for the Voice. Other research interests include free speech and the implied freedom of political communication, Australian republicanism, and economic inequality.
Shireen delivered the 2022 John Button Oration on radical centre economic reform. She publishes widely in academia and mainstream media and often commentates on TV and radio.
Books include: Statements from the Soul: the moral case for the Uluru Statement from the Heart (2023), A First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution (2020), A Rightful Place: a roadmap to recognition (2017), The Forgotten People: liberal and conservative approaches to recognising Indigenous peoples (2016).
