Words by Alyssa Harding
Disclaimer: This article was written by a non-Indigenous person who wishes to recognise her privilege before beginning, and use this opportunity to direct readers to resources created by Australian First Nations peoples, particularly the Uluru Statement From The Heart.
Right now, we’re watching history uncover itself right in front of our eyes. As we head to the polls for the country’s first referendum since 1999, Australian citizens across the country are grappling with what we’re being asked to vote for come October 14th: enshrining a Voice to Parliament for the Australian First Nations Peoples.
Let’s start with the basics. Where has the voice come from?
It comes from the Uluru Statement From the Heart. This one page statement was a result of the largest collaboration of First Nations Peoples in Australia’s history, where thirteen regional dialogues (a series of meetings between December 2016 and May 2017) were hosted for conversations about the next chapter to unify our country and improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Following these dialogues, 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders were invited to Uluru to combine the findings of the dialogues, and unite as signatories prior to gifting the statement to the Australian public. It’s important to note that whilst it was a large collaboration across the country, not every community had a representative, and all but seven people signed the statement (over concerns about it diminishing Treaty).
The statement outlines a pathway of voice, treaty, and truth. Beginning with enshrining an Indigenous Voice in the constitution, it seeks to diminish the barriers between the lives of everyday Australians and First Nations populations through constitutional recognition, as agreed upon by the hundreds of leaders and representatives included in these dialogues. Chairing the Uluru Dialogue is Alyawarre woman Pat Anderson AO, and Cobble Cobble woman Professor Megan Davis – both Indigenous leaders that are well-respected by their communities.
The Voice is from Indigenous Australian peoples, for Indigenous Australian peoples, with independent researchers Ipsos and YouGov finding that 80-83% of First Nations support the Voice.
What will the voice do?
The Voice will empower First Nations Peoples by including them in conversations about their lives. It supports the notion of ‘nothing about us, without us’ where representatives will be able to offer advice on anything regarding the Indigenous Australian population.
The Voice itself aims to improve the lives of communities by establishing a gender-balanced, age-balanced, and internally elected advisory body that is able to communicate directly with the government on issues and laws that affect them.
There’s no veto powers. No control on policy-making. No holding up the High Court.
It’s an advisory body. Developed by Indigenous leaders. To include communities in conversations on issues that affect their lives. Simple.
Where does equity come into this?
The Voice to Parliament is about opening a pathway towards equity.
For hundreds of years, Australian First Nations Peoples have disproportionately faced barriers to parts of everyday life. A departure from the limitations of equality, and a clear path towards equity, is one of the main benefits of establishing a Voice to Parliament.
The embodiment of equity is fairness and justice. Is that not what we, as a strong democratic nation, desire?
Equity means recognising that not everyone has the same starting place and that some people require a boost to reach the same level. From a basic understanding of human experience – does it not make sense to support Australian First Nations Peoples to close the very gaps that our ancestors created?
The enshrining of a Voice into the Constitution will provide a direct pathway for advice to be supplied to the government on issues and laws that affect the Indigenous population. To establish equity across the Australian population, it’s important to maintain the notion of ‘nothing about us, without us’. When those affected are involved in the conversations, better outcomes are delivered.
Equity trumps equality every time.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Senator for the Northern Territory, has vocally opposed the Voice. She believes that all Australians should be on the same footing – which is absolutely right – but without any changes, Australian Indigenous Peoples are going to remain disproportionately affected. She describes the Voice providing First Nations Peoples with a “leg-over”, which is far from what it truthfully is: a ‘leg-up’.
A wheelchair for someone with poor mobility isn’t a leg-over, it’s a leg-up. Government housing for families in need isn’t a leg-over, it’s a leg up. Mental health support for veterans isn’t a leg-over, it’s a leg-up.
An advisory board for Australian First Nations to advise on issues and laws that affect them isn’t a leg-over, it’s a leg-up.
What about division?
Conversations of division are led by the likes of ‘Murdoch media’ and the Liberal Party of Australia.
However, it’s difficult to believe cries of division when we’re already divided by race – from life expectancy divides, incarceration divides, mental health divides, education divides, housing divides, vaccination and healthcare divides.
The history of our country has already divided us.
Peter Dutton and Pauline Hanson cannot argue that a Voice will ‘divide’ when one boycotted Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generations, and the other claimed Australia was “in danger of being swamped by Asians”. If anyone is to cry divisiveness, it should be the Australian Indigenous population if a ‘no’ vote succeeds come the morning of October 15th.
Greg Ugle, from Noongar Country, explains that “in almost 200 years, we still talk about closing the gap, and if we continue the same way, we will be talking about it in another 200 years. The gap will never be closed until an Aboriginal voice joins the conversation”, which is a passage of hope and a desire for unity to finish on.
The beauty of our democracy is that no one can tell you what to vote on October 14th – but I urge you to vote with an open, compassionate heart. History is calling; it’s time for us to answer.
Is conversation around the Voice causing you distress as a First Nations person? No matter what side you support, we understand that it may be a challenging time for you as campaigns continue all over the country. Know that your local health services are there to support you, as well as the national helpline; 13yarn.
On Dit 