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HORRIFIC SCENE THE drivers of both vehicles walked away with no major injuries after this crash between Mansfield and Maindample. But several sheep were put down by a veterinarian at the scene. The road was closed for several hours. PHOTO: Pam Zierk-Mahoney
Countdown to the vote Mansfield ggathering g to discuss historic referendum marked byy bitterness and division ON October 14, Australia will vote on whether to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, an upcoming referendum which has sparked extensive – and sometimes – bitter debate within the community. Nearly 90 people gathered at the Delatite Hotel in Mansfield last Tuesday to attend a referendum information and conversation session hosted by federal Independent member for Indi Dr Helen Haines. Dr Haines was joined by Taungurung man and former Victorian First
BY HANNAH KENNELLY hkennelly@ nemedia.com.au
Peoples Assembly cochair Marcus Stewart, Wangkumarra/Barkindji man and co-convenor of Liberals for Yes Sean Gordon AM and constitutional law professor Kim Rubenstein, of Canberra University. Dr Haines said it was important to have “safe spaces for important conversations”. “This is a place for information and a space to ask questions regardless if
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you are voting yes, no or if you are still undecided,” she said. She explained her decision not to feature any panellists from the No campaign. “The No case is the status quo and what we are proposing is a change to the status quo,” she said. “I am so thrilled to see so many of you here today, seeking more information so that you can walk into the polling booth on referendum day knowing you’ve done your homework, knowing you’ve used your head and your heart to make a decision to
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shape our nation. “We are being asked if we want a new chapter in our Constitution, one that recognises the oldest continuous culture in the world and gives them a voice in advising policies which impact them.” Mr Stewart addressed the misinformation surrounding the Voice to Parliament’s purpose and proposed powers. “The idea of the Voice is all about listening,” he explained. “We know workplaces are better when bosses listen to their employees, when teachers listen to their
students and when nurses listen to their patients. “We therefore know governments make better policies and laws when they listen to those affected by them. “If this referendum passes, the only requirement on government is to listen.” During the Q&A session, several people asked why the Voice was necessary when “there were already Indigenous representatives in parliament” and other “previous Indigenous advisory bodies”. Dr Haines acknowledged many previous governments had invested billions of
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dollars into programs for “Indigenous groups with good intentions, but had still failed to close many gaps”. “Everybody in this room wants to see Indigenous people have the same length of life, same educational opportunities and be able to drink clean water,” she said “As a politician, what would help me is to have an official Voice, so I can ask questions about policies that will directly impact First Nations peoples.” Professor Rubenstein said the proposed Voice will also allow for greater transparency. ■ Continued page 2
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