MANY in the land-owner community had their Voice heard recently on ‘things that matter to them’.
The WA Government last month pulled the short-lived 2021 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act from State law.
I am aware that many Aboriginal people, including the local Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation, are OK with this because the 2021 Act may have unfortunately placed well-meaning Aboriginal groups seeking to simply identify their heritage in conflict with some land owners.
Nobody wants this.
So now the older 1972 Aboriginal Heritage Act remains in place with a few positive amendments under Section 18.
The State Government will also fund heritage surveys in high priority areas – a good outcome.
Let’s now support Aboriginal people having a Voice on ‘things that matter to them’.
The referendum question is simply seeking to ‘enshrine a Voice’ through recognition of Aboriginal people in our Constitution.
That’s it.
It won’t take anything from non-Aboriginal people.
It can’t make laws, it can’t impose taxes, it can’t demand reparations and it can’t claim anybody else’s privately owned land.
It’s a Voice that can make representations to the Federal Parliament on matters impacting on Aboriginal people and communities.
By listening to those most impacted, change will begin.
If you are concerned about detail, know that Australia is not voting on a fixed structure of an advisory body.
The Government of the day, whether it be Labor, Liberal or some other parliamentary majority, will determine the ‘Body’ and how it will work.
The detail of how it works can be changed by Government.
One Government could make a weak structured advisory Body, and another could make it stronger.
But having an advisory ‘Body’ of some sort will be enshrined in our Constitution and, as such – unlike with lobby groups – it will be transparent.
If you are concerned about division, Australia is already divided by race – Aboriginal people remain the other race.
The No campaign has added to the division.
The Voice will be an inclusive process whereby Aboriginal people will be acknowledged in our Constitution for the first time.
A Voice to Parliament will be a big step towards true reconciliation, not division.
If you are concerned about wasted funding, then vote Yes to help change how money is spent, and for better policies and decisions.
It will be Aboriginal voices at the consultation table instead of non-Aboriginal people and organisations making policies without hearing them.
Voting No is just voting for more of the same failed outcomes of the past 50 years, and surely nobody wants that.
Yes means a positive change for our nation’s future, No means more of the same things that don’t work.
I am voting Yes but whatever your vote, please make it an informed one.
