This Referendum is not simply about “recognition”. This Voice proposal goes much further.
If passed, it would represent the biggest change to our Constitution in our history.
It is legally risky, with unknown consequences. It would be divisive and permanent.
RISKY: We all want to help Indigenous Australians in disadvantaged communities.
However, this Voice is not the answer and presents a real risk to our system of government.
This Voice specifically covers all areas of “Executive Government”. This means no issue is beyond its reach.
The High Court would ultimately determine its powers, not the Parliament. It risks legal challenges, delays and dysfunctional government.
Australia’s Constitution is our most important legal document. Every word can be open to interpretation.
UNKNOWN: No details have been provided on how members of the Voice would be chosen or how it would operate.
Australians are being asked to vote first before these details are worked out.
Australians should have details before the vote, not after.
We do not know how it will work, we do not know who will be on it, but we do know it will permanently divide us as Australians.
Some Voice supporters say this would just be a first step to reparations and compensation and other radical changes. So, what would come next?
DIVISIVE: Enshrining a Voice in the Constitution for only one group of Australians means permanently dividing our country.
It creates different classes of citizenship through an unknown bodyv that has the full force of the Constitution behind it.
Many Indigenous Australians do not support the establishment of the Voice.
PERMANENT: Putting a Voice in the Constitution means it’s permanent. We will be stuck with negative consequences.
Australia has not changed its Constitution since 1977. This would be the biggest change to our democracy in Australia’s history.
IT WON’T HELP INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: We all want to help Indigenous Australians in disadvantaged communities, to close the gap and achieve reconciliation. However, more bureaucracy is not the answer.
There are currently hundreds of Indigenous representative bodies at all levels of government, along with the National Indigenous Australians Agency, which has 1400 staff.
This referendum is not about simply recognising Indigenous Australians in the Constitution.
That can be achieved without tying it to a risky, unknown and permanent Voice.
Recognition has the widespread support of Australians.
However, this Voice proposal is the problem.
There are many Australians who oppose a Voice on principle.
Others might be willing to consider a less risky Voice option, but the Government has not given you this choice.
When previous changes to the Constitution have been proposed, there has been a Constitutional Convention to properly consider options and details.
No such process happened here.
This process was rushed and heavy-handed.
This approach is not unifying, or effective.
It’s divisive.
