Proposed changes to the constitution

the constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?” and Torres Strait Islander communities, not appointed by the government

“(It’s) a sensible and practical proposition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should have a say in the decisions and policies that affect them,” he said.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney assured the public there is nothing to fear.

“I am sure that over the next six or seven, eight months, we are going to see lots of misinformation, lots of disinformation and potentially scare campaigns,” she said the morning after the updated wording was announced.

- Members would serve for a fixed period of time to ensure accountability.

C. It will be representative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, genderbalanced and include youth:

- Members of the Voice must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, as determined by the standard three-part test

This is the question Australians now know they will be asked in a national referendum, likely to be held between October and December this year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had tears in his eyes as he revealed the final wording of the referendum question and proposed constitutional amendment in an emotional press conference on March 24, following months of consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from across the country.

He urged fellow citizens not to ‘miss’ the opportunity to learn about the Voice over the coming months and ensure they make their vote count in the referendum.

“This is an opportunity that doesn’t below to the politicians, it belongs to every Australian equally, one person –one vote,” he said.

“People from all faiths, backgrounds and traditions. All of us will have an equal say, all of us can own an equal share of what I believe will be an inspiring and unifying Australian moment.”

If a majority of Australians vote in favour of the Voice, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people would be officially enshrined as the ‘First Peoples of Australia’ in our national constitution, with the addition of these sentences:

• There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to parliament and the executive government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

• The parliament shall, subject to this constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.

Mr Albanese said that the constitutional provisions would enshrine the two “fundamental principles” of recognition and consultation.

“First; recognition. As Australians, we have an extraordinary privilege we share this great island continent with the world’s oldest continuous culture and the nation should recognise this and be proud of it,” he said.

“People who have loved and cared for this country for 65,000 years and more, in countless ways, we embrace it as a source of great pride. And we should recognise it.”

He added that idea of consultation was “not a radical notion”.

“…this has been a rigorous process. We have sought and received advice from the best legal minds in this country and the cabinet approved the working group’s preferred set of words and they are very close to what the Prime Minister advanced at Garma, almost seven or eight months ago now. So I can assure everyone there is absolutely nothing to fear from this Voice. It will mean better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. And every single Australian understands that a 10-year gap in life expectancy is not acceptable in this country. But it will also mean something for everyone. Every single Australian will be able to walk prouder and taller the Sunday after referendum day.”

How will the Voice work?

Guiding principles that were developed by the Referendum Working Party have been released by the federal government to help “eradicate fears” that may be held about the role the proposed advisory body will have. The principles are as follows:

A. The Voice will give independent advice to the parliament and government :

- The Voice would make representations to the parliament and the executive government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

- The Voice would be able to respond to requests for advice, or give advice proactively

- It would have its own resources to research and develop recommendations.

B. It will be chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people based on the wishes of local communities:

- Members of the Voice would be selected by Aboriginal

- Members will be chosen from each of the states, territories and the Torres Strait Islands

- The Voice will have specific remote representatives as well as representation for the mainland Torres Strait Islander population

- The Voice will have a balanced gender representation at the national level.

D. Will be empowering, communityled, inclusive, respectful and culturally informed:

- Members of the Voice will be expected to connect with – and reflect the wishes of –their communities

- The Voice will consult with grassroots communities to ensure it accurately represents their views and experiences.

E. It will be accountable and transparent:

- The Voice will fall under the scope of the new National Anti-Corruption Commission

- Members of the Voice can be sanctioned or removed for serious misconduct.

F. Will work alongside existing organisations and traditional structures.

G. Will not have a program delivery function:

- The Voice will not be able to manage money or deliver services.

H. Will not have a veto power:

- The Voice will have no power to overturn or change parliamentary decisions.

Article continued on page 12