Page 5 - Best Of Local Mag September 2023 Edition

work and collaboration. Voting “Yes” represents an opportunity Australians do not agree with establishing permanent societal
to break the cycle of ineffective approaches and improve the division in law.
lives of Indigenous Australians. This decision may lead to positive
changes in areas such as life expectancy, education, and health 4. Limited Impact on Indigenous Australians
outcomes. While the intention to help Indigenous Australians is
acknowledged, critics believe that adding another layer
7. Practical Advice for Positive Change of bureaucracy will not effectively address the needs of
A Voice to Parliament would provide practical advice for disadvantaged communities. The current existence of various
improving Indigenous health, education, employment, and Indigenous representative bodies and agencies is mentioned as
housing. This advice, embedded in the Constitution, would offer evidence that a central Voice may not be the solution.
stability and independence to the Voice, ensuring that it can
deliver meaningful, long-term change without being influenced 5. Broad Scope and Potential Delays
by short-term political considerations. The proposed Voice’s broad scope, extending to all areas of
“Executive Government,” raises concerns about how it would
8. Enhancing Government Performance handle the high volume of legislative matters. The potential for
By voting “Yes,” Australians support the government in receiving appeals to the courts is highlighted, which may lead to delays in
better advice and delivering more effective outcomes. This decision-making and governance.
initiative has been endorsed by some legal experts, ensuring
its constitutionality and enhancing the existing system of 6. Possibility of Activist Agendas
government. The Voice’s advice does not include veto power, Critics warn that the lack of details leaves open the possibility
allowing Parliament and the Government to maintain final of the Voice being a stepping stone for more radical change,
decision-making authority. such as reparations, compensation, treaties, and truth-telling.
The argument is made that activists might use a constitutionally
In conclusion, the text presents a series of arguments for the enshrined Voice to push for broader agendas.
proposed Voice to Parliament for Indigenous Australians. This
vote is seen as a gesture of unity, hope, and practical change, 7. Costly and Bureaucratic
giving voice to Indigenous communities and enabling a brighter The financial implications of the Voice are questioned, with
future for all Australians. the text suggesting that its funding details would only be
determined after the referendum. The presence of existing
representative bodies and agencies is noted to emphasise that
The following is a summary of reasons laid out the proposed Voice would add to bureaucratic structures.
in the Referendum Booklet for voting “No” to
introducing a legal representative body for 8. Permanent Consequences
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian It is emphasised that once the Voice is enshrined in the
Constitution. The key points highlighted are as follows: Constitution, it becomes a permanent fixture that cannot be
easily reversed. The lack of legislative flexibility and the finality
1. Risky Constitutional Change of High Court interpretations are pointed out as potential
The Voice proposal is portrayed as a major constitutional change drawbacks.
that poses legal risks. The concern is that the extent of the Voice’s
powers, particularly over “Executive Government” areas, would 9. Better Alternatives
be determined by the High Court rather than the Parliament. The suggestion is that there are better, less risky alternatives that
This could lead to legal challenges, delays, and dysfunctional should be considered, rather than enshrining in law a separate
governance. legal body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The
main concern is the fundamental divisiveness of the proposal,
2. Lack of Details where we are not all treated as equal under the law as well as the
The lack of information about how the Voice would operate unknown bureaucratic and legal risks.
and who would be part of it is criticised. It is put forward that
Australians are being asked to vote without knowing crucial 10. Rushed Process
details. The analogy of not buying a house without inspecting The rushed nature of the referendum process is criticised,
it is used to emphasise the need for transparency before a with the absence of a Constitutional Convention to explore
constitutional change. various options and details. The process is seen as divisive and
ineffective.
3. It Divides Us
Enshrining a separate body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait In conclusion, the text presents a series of arguments against
Islander peoples in the Constitution establishes in law, race the proposed Voice to Parliament for Indigenous Australians,
based division among Australians. It is a proposal which divides highlighting concerns about legal risks, lack of details,
us, rather than unites us. It perpetuates and exacerbates division divisiveness, limited impact, broad scope, activist agendas,
and disunity in our society because it fundamentally ignores and costliness, permanence, and the need for better alternatives.
contradicts the democratic principle of equality before the law. The rushed process is also criticised for lacking transparency and
It establishes in law that we are not all equal. Many Indigenous inclusivity.

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