Council News – Meeting: 31 March 2023

14 Apr 2023

Council News  

Meeting 2/2023

31 March 2023

Council met in person for the second meeting of 2023 in the Research School of Physics Board Room, ANU Campus.    
 
Vice-Chancellor's Report 
Council considered the Vice-Chancellor's report, including the University's strategic engagement with the Federal Government and a recent staff engagement survey.    
 
The 'Voice to Parliament' 
As part of the Vice-Chancellor's Report, members also considered an Academic Board paper and statement presented to Council about the 'Voice to Parliament'. 
 
Following discussion, the ANU Council - guided by the Academic Board Statement - resolved to make the following public statement in respect of the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) Bill 2023 - the 'Voice to Parliament':  
 
In 2017, following an extensive process of consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, the Uluru Statement from the Heart called for 'the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution'.  
 
With an historic referendum to enact this call planned for 2023, the Australian National University Council unreservedly supports enshrining an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution, recognising its alignment with the University's national mission.  
 
The Council acknowledges that differing views exist within the University community and that the University is a place where respectful informed debate and freedom of expression are actively encouraged.  
 
The Council thanks the Academic Board of the University for its work and guidance, and acknowledges that it also unreservedly supports enshrining an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution. 
 
Other Matters 
Council considered several other significant issues concerning:
  • Student Wellbeing (especially progress made by the Student Safety & Wellbeing Committee);
  • Staff WHS;
  • ANU Annual Report 2022;
  • Socially Responsible Investment Report 2022;
  • International Strategy - Progress Report;
  • National Centre for Indigenous Genomics (NCIG) - Annual Report 2022; and
  • Updates from each Council Committee that met in March 2023.

Next Meeting
Council next meets on Friday 2 June 2023.
 


The Hon Julie Bishop
Chancellor

 

Other stories you might like to read