The Uluru Statement from the Heart reminds us that (the coming referendum) is not “Anthony Albanese’s referendum”, but an invitation from First Nations people to walk together towards a better future.
The referendum is about amending our Constitution to enable First Nations people to provide input into policies and laws that are made by government and parliament on matters that affect them.
This is in line with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
For example, Sweden, Norway and Finland have established institutions and relationships with the Sami people, as has New Zealand with the Maori (the Treaty of Waitangi 1840), and many similar relationships exist in North and South America with native Americans.
It’s important to realise that the Voice has been developed in Australia because we lack any formal agreement – such as a treaty – or any formal recognition of the rightful place of First Nations people in Australia.
How would you feel about your 65,000 years of history on this continent being totally ignored in our founding national document, our Constitution (1901)?
The Voice is an advisory committee that may make representations to Parliament.
Don’t we make better decisions when we get good advice ?
What do you think the Business Council of Australia, the Mineral Council, Australian Banking Association, the Pharmacy Guild, the Australian Coal Association – and just about any other group or individual you can think of – are doing when they lobby our Federal politicians?
They’re giving advice.
They have a voice.
It is then up to Parliament to decide what it does with that advice.
Regarding the much-discussed detail.
The proposed constitutional change gives Parliament – our elected representatives – the power to design the Voice.
Demanding to see draft legislation ahead of the referendum suggests a lack of trust in Parliament.
Further, Parliament may decide to amend the Voice’s composition, powers and procedures over time – to ensure its effectiveness – but it cannot abolish it on a whim (as it has done with every other Aboriginal advisory voice – the latest being ATSIC).
Hence the reason to enshrine it in the Constitution.
The Uluru Statement is 439 words – one page.
It is accompanied by 25 pages that document the many robust regional dialogues and consultation leading up to it – available on the internet since 2017, when the former government put them there!
Acknowledging the Voice’s advice and listening is a mark of recognition and inclusion.
Every Prime Minister since John Howard has supported the need for recognition of First Nations people in the Constitution.
We should feel pride in our 65,000 years of Indigenous history.
Early European explorers described the Australian landscape as beautiful and park-like and the soils so well hydrated they felt ‘spongy’.
This didn’t happen by accident, but as a result of Aboriginal people looking after this landscape and native animals.
If we all come together – Indigenous, colonial and multi-cultural – can’t we then all draw on this deep well of wisdom?
And what on earth is there to fear from treaty and truth-telling if we look at the above examples from around the world?
Walk with us – that’s what we’re being asked to do.
It’s time.
Email, August 29
Sue Young, Bensville