Flinders University welcomed The Hon. Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, to deliver the 2023 Lowitja O’Donoghue Oration at Bonython Hall on Monday 29 May, marking the first time a sitting Prime Minister has delivered the annual Oration.

Held during National Reconciliation Week, Prime Minister Albanese spoke about how the referendum on Constitutional recognition through a First Nations Voice to Parliament is an opportunity for a moment of unity for Australia.

Prime Minister Albanese focused on the role all Australians have to play in discussing this measure to include First Nations people more directly in the decisions that affect them. He also paid tribute to the leadership shown by Dr O’Donoghue over many decades, and acknowledged the reconciliation journey Australia has taken since the 1967 referendum that gave voting rights to First Nations Australians.

You can read the Prime Minister’s full address here.

After delivering the Oration, Prime Minister Albanese joined Lord Mayor of Adelaide Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM for a question and answer session that addressed pre-submitted questions from the public.

Flinders University Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) Professor Simone Tur served as Master of Ceremony for the Oration.

To view the Oration and the Q&A session, please click here.