How do you think The Voice could benefit the country?
This is a really difficult question to answer because we know nothing about it yet. What would have been much fairer is if The Voice was legislated and all the details were provided, then Australians could make an informed decision as to whether they wanted it enshrined in our constitution.
One of the main issues with The Voice is that there have been no details provided on how it will work. Currently, we do not know what powers The Voice will have and who will hold that power.
What do you see as the negatives involved with implementing The Voice?
Australians are being asked to make a major change to the Australian constitution with little to no detail, and I believe The Voice will be legally risky and permanent.
I am fundamentally opposed to dividing Australia on the basis of race. I believe all Australians are equal and should be treated as such.
On a local level, how do you envision The Voice will impact the community?
I’m concerned, I’m already seeing this issue dividing my community.
I think that there will be very little advantages to my local constituents as this is a Canberra based Voice, and I believe the last thing we need is another layer of bureaucracy.
If you don’t agree with The Voice, what do you think could be a better solution?
I believe we should be coming up with solutions and programs for all our disadvantaged and marginalised Australians, and this should not be based on race, gender, or religion. Or anything else for that matter, our Australian anthem states we are one and free.
Do you think the current system is working? How have you seen it develop and evolve over the years?
I don’t believe the current system is working and that’s because its being led by Bureaucrats based in big cities. The money is being chewed up before it even gets to the people in rural and regional areas who need it the most.
Anything else you would like to add?
I believe before any changes are made an audit should be done on all existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs to identify the successes and failures so we can move forward, we don’t need a bigger bureaucracy, we need a better bureaucracy.
I understand that this will be an emotional topic for many people, and I would request that everybody please be respectful to one another, after all we are all Australians.
How do you think The Voice could benefit the country?
An Indigenous Voice to Parliament will result in meaningful, targeted improvements in the areas of health, education, housing and employment for First Nations peoples.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart - based on years of consultations with First Nations communities - asked first for a representative Voice to parliament which would advise parliament on strategies and programs needed to address the issues specific to First nations peoples, and secondly that non Indigenous people walk with them to achieve better outcomes for current and future generations of Indigenous peoples.
This can only be a unifying show of respect and our humanity as a nation.
What do you see as the negatives involved with implementing The Voice?
If parliament works with good will to implement the Voice I can see no negatives.
On a local level, how do you envision The Voice will impact the community?
On a day to day basis the Voice will have no impact other than with those to whom its targeted.
What do you think would happen to the country if The Voice doesn't go ahead?
We will lose a once in a generation opportunity to finally recognise First Nations Peoples in the Constitution and to address the inequities experienced by many First Nations Peoples using strategies identified and implemented by them.
Additionally, we will be shamed globally and our reputation as a tolerant and humane country will be tarnished.
What do you think of the current system?
Over the years we have seen programs developed and funded and imposed on communities by bureaucrats and politicians - many well intentioned - which have failed to secure meaningful, practical, positive outcomes because they weren't implemented in partnership or by the people they were designed to help. The definition of stupidity is to do the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. This referendum offers the opportunity for change, a new way of doing things and a chance for First Nations Peoples to design and implement and achieve the outcomes they see as being key.
Anything else you would like to add?
There are parallels between this referendum and the plebiscite to support marriage equality. Again the majority is being asked to make decisions for others. The sky didn't fall in when marriage equality received a resounding yes, and it won't if the Referendum gets up.
How do you think The Voice could benefit the country?
I believe that by recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander citizens in our Constitution, as a nation, we acknowledge truthfully our history and can move forward to create a more just and stronger unified nation. To this end by providing a voice constitutionally which cannot be rescinded, we become a more inclusive nation and provide our First Nation citizens the opportunity to have a say in decisions affecting their communities.
What do you see as the negatives involved with implementing The Voice?
Implementation of change is not easy. This change requires not only legislation in how to form the vehicle for “the voice” but requires a change of heart as well as mind. People are hung up on the logistics and consequences of a yes vote. But simply put the referendum represents a change of heart. The logistics of how future First Nation policies would have to be tackled is complex whether there is a constitutional change or just a legislative change. The referendum establishes the desire to recognise and give voice. It is a vote from the heart. The complex logistics is in the legislation would be there in any case going forward.
On a local level, how do you envision The Voice will impact the community?
I truly hope that the Whitsunday community will continue to promote the stories of our First Nation residents and provide more opportunities for them to be heard. There was a great response to Aboriginal and Islander content in the 2022 Whitsundays Arts Festival and more opportunities hopefully will be generated in the future. I also hope there will be consultation with our local First Nation residents in the issues affecting them including provision of health care and education. And the introduction of First Nation history, culture, and art practice in our schools would be a wonderful addition although I do applaud local schools that have already shown openness to this happening.
What do you think would happen to the country if The Voice doesn't go ahead?
I fear that it will set back the reconciliation of our nation. Rather than giving a positive heartfelt boost to our respect and appreciation of First Nation culture it will be harder to support the well being of those communities as it can be argued that the majority of Australians do not want change and support for those important issues of recognition, health, and poverty.
What do you think of the current system? How have you seen that develop and evolve over the years?
The current system is haphazard. Although there are now First Nation Parliamentarians their primary role is to represent their constituencies not speak for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
How do you think The Voice could benefit the country?
We don’t know, we want to see what’s on the other 22 pages first! Who knows what it looks like. There are all these people getting paid 300 grand each for the Yes Campaign – why are they paying non-indigenous people to do the Yes Campaign?
What do you see as the negatives involved with implementing The Voice?
If it comes in, it’s going to open up a can of worms. They’re going to ask where all the money’s gone and a lot of fraud and embezzlement will come out from previous governments. People who are only 1/18 indigenous are given money – why are they getting any money?
What do you wish you knew more about?
I want to know who’s going to be making the decisions – they are saying we’ll have better education, better health, more work – why is this not happening already?
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Reasons To Vote Yes
1. The Voice Came From Indigenous Peoples, not politicians.
2. Recognition For Results
The Voice celebrates Indigenous cultures, Australian unity, and makes a difference for future generations.
3. Better Quality Of Life
The Voice is set to deliver real improvements for Indigenous peoples in life expectancy, infant mortality and health, and education and employment.
4. Unity
The Voice allows Australia to be reconciled with the past and moves forward for a better future.
5. Save Money
When the Government listens to the people, we get better outcomes and use funding more effectively.
6. The Time Is Now
The Time is now to create a great change for the future. Voting no will change nothing.
7. Practical Advice
The Voice will advise practical steps to improve Indigenous lives, without getting caught up in short-term politics.
8. Making Government Work Better
The Government will receive better advice and deliver better expectations. The Government will hold veto power. The Voice gives Indigenous peoples a say on issues that affect them.
Reasons To Vote No
1. Legally Risky
The Voice is untested, and unknown.
2. No Details
No clear details have been outlined about The Voice.
3. Division
The Voice will divide Australian by race, in law and spirit.
4. Won’t Help
The Voice risks overlooking the needs of regional and remote indigenous communities.
5. Wide Scope
The Voice is able to make contributions to all Executive Government departments, agencies, and other bodies, like the Reserve Bank.
6. Risks Delays In Decision Making
As The Voice’s scope encompasses all Executive Government, it will cause delays in decision making, leading to a dysfunctional government.
7. What Comes Next?
Legal uncertainty and absence of details leaves unclear implications.
8. Costly
Funding allocation has not been released.
9. Permanent
This is a permeant move and cannot be reversed.
10. There Are Better Ways Forward
The Voice is risky, untested and permenant. This is a rushed and heavy-handed proposal.
This information was sourced from the Australian Government Official Referendum Booklet.
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