On March 23 an emotional Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the proposed wording for the upcoming First Nations Voice referendum which reads: ‘To alter the Constitution to recognise the First People’s of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?’ The proposed referendum question will be introduced to parliament in June before going before the Australian people later in the year.
Bendigo Federal MP Lisa Chesters recently attended an information sharing session in Chewton to provide information and to share ideas about this year’s proposed referendum on ‘The Voice’.
“Current policy making does not include a systematic process for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to provide advice, therefore, policy is often made for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people rather than with them,” Ms Chesters commented.
“Constitutional recognition through a Voice would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to give advice to the Federal Parliament about laws and policies that will impact them.
“This means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are included in the law-making process, rather than having bureaucrats and politicians deciding what is best for them,” she said.
According to Ms Chesters the Australian Constitution sets out the principles of how our nation works and can only be altered by a referendum. The upcoming referendum will ask all Australians of voting age to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ for the proposed changes.
“The failure to acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution perpetuates the myth of terra nullius – land belonging to no one – that the British colonisers declared upon their arrival.
“For more than 60,000 years, First Nations peoples have cared for country. Appreciating and understanding this truth is a vital part of what it means to be Australian. We are privileged to share this beautiful country with the world’s oldest continuing culture.”
Local resident and supporter of ‘The Voice’ Marie Jones attended the discussion with Ms Chesters last week.
“This discussion has been going on for ages and this is a continuation of the conversation,” Marie said.
“As Lisa explained the referendum process is a work in progress with parliament to decide on the wording of the questions, then the referendum date is to be decided and the voting period announced, with a possible date in August.”
For more information on the upcoming referendum visit: voice.niaa.gov.au/ or for information on supporting the yes vote visit: www.Yes23.com.au.
