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MAKE A DIFFERENCE

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Why do we need an Indigenous Voice enshrined in the constitution?

Previous attempts to embed selfdetermination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been dissolved at the discretion of previous governments. Enshrining a Voice in the constitution would ensure this cannot happen.

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What influence would the Voice have on parliament and its decision-making abilities?

The Voice would be an advisory body to parliament and executive government. The exact mechanism is still to be decided.

However, there will be an expectation that any matters related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be consulted with the Voice, and this advice would be respected and impactful to the final resolution.

Is the Voice essentially a ‘third chamber’ in parliament?

No. This was an off-handed comment made by federal MP Barnaby Joyce in 2017, but he has since retracted that statement and apologised for generating disinformation. The Voice is an advisory body that would ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are included in the lawmaking process, rather than having bureaucrats and politicians deciding what is best for them.

Would the Voice effectively cede sovereignty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the Australian Government?

No. Several constitutional lawyers, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander constitutional lawyers, have been consulted on this, and all agree that the Voice would not and cannot cede sovereignty in any way – meaning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have never given up their right to land, sea and air.

It is also worth noting that 97% of this vote will be made by nonIndigenous Australians, and they do not have the authority to cede the sovereignty on behalf of any other nations or peoples.

Would the Voice impede the creation of a Treaty between the Australian Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?

No. Treaty is the next step in the process. The Albanese Government has committed to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.

This includes a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament, forming a Makarrata Commission to work towards Treaty, and a commitment to truth telling regarding Australia’s history and First Nations people.

Why is the QNMU participating in this referendum?

The QNMU acknowledges that not everyone will agree with the idea of the Voice to Parliament. Indeed, there are some people within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who are vocal opponents.

However, social justice is and has always been union business, and the Australian union movement is committed to supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The 1967 referendum was won in partnership with the union movement, and we remain in support of this social justice agenda.

Furthermore, the QNMU First Nations Branch has reached a consensus through democratic process to support the Uluru Statement, including the referendum for a Voice to Parliament, a Makarrata Commission to supervise the making of agreements or treaties, and a process to oversee truth telling for our nation. Delegates at Annual Conference endorsed the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2020, and it was then ratified by Council.

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