Australians will all be asked their thoughts on the proposed First Nations Voice to Parliament in this month’s referendum.
Whether they choose to vote on the official referendum day, on Saturday 14 October or before, Australians will be asked to answer yes or no to the following question:
“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?“
What is The Voice
The Voice will be a committee of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives from every Australian state and territory who will advise the Parliament and Government on issues that affect their community.
The Parliament of Australia has agreed to propose adding a new chapter, Chapter IX-Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to the Constitution. The chapter would include a new section 129, which would be as follows:
129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:
1. there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
2. the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.
In the official Voice referendum booklet, arguments for and against the proposed amendment have been presented by members of Parliament who respectively voted for or against the referendum. They are as follows:
Keys to YES campaign
The Yes campaign says the Voice is all about recognition of, listening to and gaining better results for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
1. This idea came directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and not from politicians
2. Constitutional recognition for concrete results and a recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia.
3. Ensure people have a better life – the Voice could be a vehicle to deliver real improvements to Indigenous peoples including improving life expectancy, infant mortality and health, education and employment.
4. It will bring our country together through being reconciled with the past and moving to a better future.
5. Saving money – listening first may see funding used more effectively.
Reasons to vote NO
1. Risky: The No campaign claims the Voice to Parliament risks legal challenges and presents a risk to Australia’s system of government.
2. No details: They say some details are still unknown such as how the Voice would be chosen or how it will operate.
3. It divides us – Enshrining in our Constitution a body for only one group of Australians means permanently dividing Australians. Many Indigenous Australians do not agree with this.
4. More bureaucracy is not the answer to closing the gap.
5. No issue is beyond the Voice’s scope as it applies to ‘all areas of Executive Government’.
