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| Indigenous Voice: Australia PM unveils plan for historic constitution vote | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| An advert supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice | An advert supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice |
| Australia's leader has unveiled crucial details of a planned referendum which could see it change its constitution for the first time in almost 50 years. | Australia's leader has unveiled crucial details of a planned referendum which could see it change its constitution for the first time in almost 50 years. |
| If approved, the vote later this year would establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice - a formal body for Indigenous people to give advice on laws. | If approved, the vote later this year would establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice - a formal body for Indigenous people to give advice on laws. |
| PM Anthony Albanese argues it would be a "very simple" but "momentous" change. | PM Anthony Albanese argues it would be a "very simple" but "momentous" change. |
| Constitutional referendums are fairly rare - only eight of 44 have succeeded. | Constitutional referendums are fairly rare - only eight of 44 have succeeded. |
| The Voice is being fiercely debated with support and opposition across the political spectrum. | The Voice is being fiercely debated with support and opposition across the political spectrum. |
| What is the Voice to parliament? | |
| The Voice was recommended by a historic document in 2017 called the Uluru Statement from the Heart. | The Voice was recommended by a historic document in 2017 called the Uluru Statement from the Heart. |
| Drafted by more than 250 Indigenous leaders, the statement is considered the best - though not unanimous - call to action for reforms which affect First Nations Australians. | Drafted by more than 250 Indigenous leaders, the statement is considered the best - though not unanimous - call to action for reforms which affect First Nations Australians. |
| On Thursday, Mr Albanese announced the proposed wording for a question to be put to Australians in a compulsory vote. | On Thursday, Mr Albanese announced the proposed wording for a question to be put to Australians in a compulsory vote. |
| "A proposed law to alter the constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?" | "A proposed law to alter the constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?" |
| In an emotional speech, Mr Albanese said the Voice would enshrine "recognition" that Australians "share this great island continent with the world's oldest continuous culture". | |
| "Our nation's birth certificate should recognise this and be proud of it," he added. | "Our nation's birth certificate should recognise this and be proud of it," he added. |
| Standing alongside, Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney spoke of how she had spent the first 10 years of her life "not being counted". | |
| The proposal, still to be debated in parliament, states the Voice will "make representations" to MPs and policy makers "on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples". | The proposal, still to be debated in parliament, states the Voice will "make representations" to MPs and policy makers "on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples". |
| However, parliament would have the power to decide on the Voice's composition, functions, powers and procedures. | However, parliament would have the power to decide on the Voice's composition, functions, powers and procedures. |
| What's the case for it? | What's the case for it? |
| Indigenous Australians feel a "powerlessness" when tackling structural problems to improve their lives, the Uluru Statement says. | Indigenous Australians feel a "powerlessness" when tackling structural problems to improve their lives, the Uluru Statement says. |
| These problems include having a shorter life expectancy than non-Indigenous Australians, disproportionately poorer health and education outcomes, and higher incarceration rates. | These problems include having a shorter life expectancy than non-Indigenous Australians, disproportionately poorer health and education outcomes, and higher incarceration rates. |
| Many argue this is often because of a failure to properly consult Indigenous people on solutions. | Many argue this is often because of a failure to properly consult Indigenous people on solutions. |
| "Non-Indigenous people [are] making decisions about communities they have never visited and people they do not know," wrote Prof Megan Davis, an Uluru Statement signatory. | "Non-Indigenous people [are] making decisions about communities they have never visited and people they do not know," wrote Prof Megan Davis, an Uluru Statement signatory. |
| What do opponents say? | What do opponents say? |
| Some argue Indigenous people are already represented fairly in parliament. It currently has 11 Indigenous lawmakers - representing 4.8% of the parliament, a slightly higher percentage than the Indigenous Australian population nationwide. | Some argue Indigenous people are already represented fairly in parliament. It currently has 11 Indigenous lawmakers - representing 4.8% of the parliament, a slightly higher percentage than the Indigenous Australian population nationwide. |
| But Voice supporters counter that MPs represent specific constituencies, not necessarily Indigenous interests. | But Voice supporters counter that MPs represent specific constituencies, not necessarily Indigenous interests. |
| Other critics say it could act like a third chamber of parliament and potentially veto legislation, but the government has ruled this out. | Other critics say it could act like a third chamber of parliament and potentially veto legislation, but the government has ruled this out. |
| Support is not universal among Indigenous people, either. Some say a treaty with Indigenous people - a legally binding, negotiated agreement - should be the priority. Australia is one of the only ex-British colonies without one. | Support is not universal among Indigenous people, either. Some say a treaty with Indigenous people - a legally binding, negotiated agreement - should be the priority. Australia is one of the only ex-British colonies without one. |
| Senator Lidia Thorpe is among those who want a formal treaty first | Senator Lidia Thorpe is among those who want a formal treaty first |
| Many Indigenous Australians emphasise they never ceded their sovereignty or land. There are fears that being recognised in the constitution could amount to that. | Many Indigenous Australians emphasise they never ceded their sovereignty or land. There are fears that being recognised in the constitution could amount to that. |
| And others argue it's just a symbolic gesture and that money could be better spent on immediate solutions. | And others argue it's just a symbolic gesture and that money could be better spent on immediate solutions. |
| What will the Voice look like in practice? | What will the Voice look like in practice? |
| That's not yet certain. If Australia votes yes, legislation designing the Voice will then be developed and debated. | That's not yet certain. If Australia votes yes, legislation designing the Voice will then be developed and debated. |
| One proposal suggests the advisory body could have 24 members - comprised of representatives from each state and territory, the Torres Strait Islands, and remote Aboriginal communities. | One proposal suggests the advisory body could have 24 members - comprised of representatives from each state and territory, the Torres Strait Islands, and remote Aboriginal communities. |
| Mr Albanese sees the Voice being "an unflinching source of advice and accountability". | Mr Albanese sees the Voice being "an unflinching source of advice and accountability". |
| Are there global comparisons? | Are there global comparisons? |
| Voice advocates compare it to the First Nations parliaments in Norway, Sweden and Finland for the Sami people. | Voice advocates compare it to the First Nations parliaments in Norway, Sweden and Finland for the Sami people. |
| They're not parliaments in the traditional sense - they are mostly consultative bodies which do not have a formal legislative function. | They're not parliaments in the traditional sense - they are mostly consultative bodies which do not have a formal legislative function. |
| In Finland, for example, the government negotiates with the Sami Parliament on specific matters like land management and legislative or administrative changes affecting Sami culture. | In Finland, for example, the government negotiates with the Sami Parliament on specific matters like land management and legislative or administrative changes affecting Sami culture. |
| However, Finnish laws don't prevent government authorities from forging ahead without negotiations. | However, Finnish laws don't prevent government authorities from forging ahead without negotiations. |
| Why is a referendum needed? | Why is a referendum needed? |
| Advocates say the Voice needs to be enshrined in the constitution rather than legislated. Such a change cannot happen without a referendum. | Advocates say the Voice needs to be enshrined in the constitution rather than legislated. Such a change cannot happen without a referendum. |
| They argue this would give the Voice permanency, insulating it from partisan politics. | They argue this would give the Voice permanency, insulating it from partisan politics. |
| For it to succeed, a majority of Australians need to vote yes. There also needs to be majority support in at least four of Australia's six states. | For it to succeed, a majority of Australians need to vote yes. There also needs to be majority support in at least four of Australia's six states. |
| Polling has shown about three quarters of Australians support a constitutionally enshrined Voice. | Polling has shown about three quarters of Australians support a constitutionally enshrined Voice. |
| The proposal has even won the support of US basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, who will appear in promotional material. | The proposal has even won the support of US basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, who will appear in promotional material. |
| Shaquille O'Neal will promote the Voice's power to bring people together, Anthony Albanese says | Shaquille O'Neal will promote the Voice's power to bring people together, Anthony Albanese says |
| But the result is far from assured - the last successful referendum was in 1977. | But the result is far from assured - the last successful referendum was in 1977. |
| The conservative Liberal Party has previously opposed the Voice, but now says its MPs will vote to decide its position. Its junior coalition partner, the Nationals, oppose the reform. | The conservative Liberal Party has previously opposed the Voice, but now says its MPs will vote to decide its position. Its junior coalition partner, the Nationals, oppose the reform. |
| The Greens party will support the Voice. But its previous Indigenous Affairs spokesperson, Lidia Thorpe, recently left the party over its position - she is advocating for a treaty first. | The Greens party will support the Voice. But its previous Indigenous Affairs spokesperson, Lidia Thorpe, recently left the party over its position - she is advocating for a treaty first. |
| What next? | What next? |
| Parliament is expected to hold a vote on the proposal in June. If approved, the referendum will happen sometime after September. | Parliament is expected to hold a vote on the proposal in June. If approved, the referendum will happen sometime after September. |
| If a Voice is established, the Uluru Statement calls for a Makarrata commission - a body to supervise a process of treaty-making and truth-telling about the history of Indigenous Australians. | If a Voice is established, the Uluru Statement calls for a Makarrata commission - a body to supervise a process of treaty-making and truth-telling about the history of Indigenous Australians. |
| Implementing a Voice is also seen as likely to create further impetus for an Australian republic. Mr Albanese has already indicated a referendum on the issue is likely if he wins a second term in 2025. | Implementing a Voice is also seen as likely to create further impetus for an Australian republic. Mr Albanese has already indicated a referendum on the issue is likely if he wins a second term in 2025. |
| Additional reporting by Tom Housden | Additional reporting by Tom Housden |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Indigenous Australians | Indigenous Australians |
| Australia | Australia |