Next month Australians will be going to polls to vote in a referendum to change the federal constitution. The proposed change is two-fold although expressed as a single question:
"A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
Do you approve of this proposed alteration?"
https://voice.gov.au/referendum-2023/referendum-question-and-constitutional-amendment
Firstly this would lead to Australia as a nation formally recognising the First Peoples of the country. Secondly, that recognition will include a constitutional body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
While this is a significant change it is also not a huge change, despite the fear mongering of many on the right. The new body will have advisory powers only and the Federal Parliament will still make the laws.
This is not a panacea. It is not going to solve the myriad problems of inequality baked into the modern history of Australia. There has been some genuine opposition to the proposal from people on the left that is distinct from the more knee-jerk right wing reaction (see here https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/lidia-thorpe-has-revealed-her-position-on-the-voice-to-parliament/0fxj1j9jw ) However, the voice proposal has broad support among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and arose from The Uluru Statement from the Heart:
"In May 2017, more than 250 First Nations leaders from across Australia came together at Uluru, on the lands of the Aṉangu people, to launch the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The one-page document called for the establishment of a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution."
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/uluru-statement-from-the-hearts-voice-aims-to-change-the-course-of-australias-parliament-heres-how/xhkpdrget
Attempts to have consultation bodies or ensure First People's concerns were listened to by government have happened before. However, without constitutional protection such bodies were easily dismissed or abolished altogether when different parties took power.
Changing the constitution will have a more permenant effect. It will make it easier for a consultative body to work with changing government and changes of prime minister. It is not a magical solution but it is a step forward and I will be voting Yes.
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