In 2023, Australia will vote in a referendum to amend the Constitution, in order to include an Indigenous Voice to Parliament and potentially alter Australia’s history forever.
What is a Referendum?
In 1901, at the creation of Australia’s Federation, a legal framework binding the states was created, known as the Constitution. The Constitution provides the set of rules by which Australia is governed and outlines the structure and power dynamic between arms of Government. The Constitution can only be changed by a referendum.
A referendum is a national vote, whereby all Australians have a choice to vote between ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The most recent referendum was in 1999, in which Australians voted on whether they wanted Australia to become a Republic. The result was 54.87 per cent voting no, and therefore the Constitution stayed as is.
This year, Australia will vote on the below question:
A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
What is The Voice of Parliament?
The Voice to Parliament will be an independent body for First Nations people to advise Parliament on matters that specifically impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The members of this advisory board would accordingly be appointed by First Nations peoples. The Voice was officially proposed Uluru Statement from the Heart on May 26, 2017; “We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.”
Does Everyone Agree?
The Voice to Parliament has been heavily debated. In favour of the Voice, many Indigenous people have voiced support, one example being artist Sally Scales, who is a part of The Uluru Statement Dialogue Leadership team and a Pitjantjatjara woman from the APY lands, who stated in an interview with BAZAAR Australia, the Voice will “allow communities to have an effective way to talk about our issues to politicians.” The Voice has also been supported by non-Indigenous peoples including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Amar Singh, winner of Australin of the Year Local Hero, who believes the Voice is significant in encouraging multiculturalism.
However, the Voice has also been contented. Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, a DjabWurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara woman, has voiced concern with the Voice quoting that the bill is “appeasing white guilt,” in that it is a hollow attempt to support First Nations people. Similar statements have been made by the ‘No’ Campaign, led by Shadow Indigenous Australians Minister Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Nyunggai Warren Mundine. It is the standpoint of these campaigns that a better, more genuine and effect approach must be taken to support First Nations people.
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