An informed argument. An informed opinion. An informed vote.
In the end, that is what we should all expect as we approach the referendum on October 14th.
I have thought about this post for a while now and what to say.
I will state right now that I will be voting Yes on October 14th. And I will admit, I was pre-disposed to voting yes from the very beginning.
However, after a discussion with a lifelong friend earlier in the year I realised that I perhaps needed to do some research on what was being proposed rather than just being reliant on thinking that it was the right thing to do.
So, I downloaded & read ‘Indigenous Voice Co-design Process Final Report’ commissioned by the Australian Government.
(Source: https://voice.gov.au/resources/indigenous-voice-co-design-process-final-report). It has information on the background, the potential design, it’s role and the degree of consultation that was conducted as part of this report.
I have also read (and continue to do so) a number of opinion pieces from both perspectives. I am keen to understand why some have an alternative view. Some I believe are valid. Some I don’t.
Having taken all this into account, my view has not changed and here are the reasons why (so now is the time to stop reading if you are not interested).
I am voting Yes because I believe by having it in the Australian Constitution, it eliminates the risk of being at the whim of any political party who seeks to remove it to further progress their efforts in an election cycle (which in my opinion, both major parties in Australia have been guilty of managing the country to an election cycle).
I am voting Yes because the Voice is to be an advisory body; the specific design of which will be the responsibility of the Australian Government. The Government of the day will consider their recommendations; not automatically accept them. In short, law making will still be the responsibility of the Australian Parliament (no matter what side of politics is in Government).
I am voting Yes because it provides recognition for our first nations people who for too long have been neglected. Is it a case of righting a wrong? In my opinion, it is and I have no issue with that.
The Constitution was changed (via a referendum) for the Australian Government to make laws on behalf of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in 1967; without having to formally consider (not adopt, consider) the perspectives and inputs of those they were required to make laws for. This proposal addresses this.
It is also an opportunity to recognise that there is a culture that has existed on this land we call Australia for thousands of years. A people that were dislocated from that land and historically has had many instances of injustice, harm & destruction cast upon them.
A part of our country that was not considered to be officially part of the Australian population until a referendum was passed in 1967 which is only 56 years ago.
Those are the reasons I will be voting Yes.
However, let me be crystal clear.
I am not voting Yes because I like the song ‘You’re the Voice’
I am not voting Yes because some personality or professional body said I should.
I am not voting Yes because it has been endorsed by any of the sporting clubs and/or bodies that I follow.
This isn’t a case of being “woke” (a term which is up there with ‘un-Australian in terms of my dislike but that is a separate topic for a separate time). I have a view that while we are on this Earth, our goal should be that we leave the place in a better position than we entered it. I have heard the term ‘legacy’ used. Maybe that is the right one. I am not sure.
However, in my opinion, I believe that voting Yes will do this.
I don’t expect everyone to agree with me. Nor do I expect any one to have their mind changed by my views. However, I do expect that you respect my point of view as I do yours.
I was going to say that I actually don’t care which way you vote on October 14th but I actually do. I hope that you vote after doing some leg work to read (every house gets the pamphlet in the picture above as a bare minimum), discuss and not rely on whose opinion is communicated the loudest or additions to the general noise…including my own.
That is the very least we should expect and ask of each other.
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