What is an Indigenous Voice to Parliament?
This year Australians will hold a referendum on whether to update the Constitution to include an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, proposed by the Federal Labour government. The campaign in favour of the Voice describes it as "constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament is a body enshrined in the Constitution that would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide advice to the Parliament on policies and projects that impact their lives.
Critics, however, describe the campaign as a racist and divisive attempt to in the name of indigenous Australians to legislate a third tier of Parliament. The proposal of an Indigenous Voice has come under intense criticism from prominent indigenous Australians across the political spectrum who are concerned the move will do little to enhance the lives of First Nations people or have any impact on the real issues faced especially in rural and remote communities.
While the Labor government has been called out for the lack of detail around what exactly Australians will be voting for, the draft words to be added to the Constitution are:
- There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to Parliament and the Executive Government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
And the draft referendum question is:
"Do you support an alteration to the Constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?"
The Northern Territory town of Alice Springs is grappling with persistent issues that have been plaguing locals for decades as it finds itself in the spotlight of the nation as attention. Tensions are high among residents with growing concerns about violent crime and racial division. While Alice Springs is not the only town in Australia facing the consequences of years of government neglect, poverty and underfunded services, it has become a focal point for Australia as the nation prepares to vote for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
