this post was submitted on 21 Jul 2023
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The yes pamphlet: campaign’s voice to parliament referendum essay – annotated and factchecked (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (8 children)

The government has not shared a draft of the voice model, and says concrete details about how many people sit on it, how they are selected and how the voice would interact with parliament would be decided first through further consultation with Indigenous communities after the referendum, and then changed or amended over time by the parliament of the day.

I honestly think this is one of the biggest strategic errors they've made. It plays right into the hands of the fearmongers, by letting them imagine a world where the Voice has more power than it really does, and by letting them wedge people who would otherwise be supportive by claiming it won't adequately represent Indigenous people of all groups. It doesn't matter if these claims are untrue; by not having a specific plan available, people on the fence are more likely to fill in the gaps with the worst image their imagination can conjure up.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I would like to think the intent of the referendum is to show the majority of Australia wants to listen to what Indigenous Australians have to say on matters that concerns them. Flexibility in how that happens is key. By enshrining the voice in our constitution we are saying, "I'll listen even if I don't like what is said because it's important." With enough leeway that governments can change how they listen but not silence the voice altogether.

I'd be happy for additional referendums focused on the specifics but I'd also be fine with the elected government choosing what the voice of the day looks like.

Nothing will change overnight and I agree with the sentiment that we can make things better without a voice.

That said, if someone is hurting, you ask them how you can help. So it makes perfect sense to me to listen to what 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leaders have asked for and put the voice in the constitution.

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