History is calling: We can create a better future

Indigenous Constitutional Recognition
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the first inhabitants of this beautiful land, have graced it for 65,000 years. When the Constitution was written in 1901, it failed to acknowledge their presence, customs, and laws. They were excluded and not consulted. It was not until the landmark 1967 referendum that they were recognised as Australians and counted in the census. However, their rightful place in our Constitution remains unacknowledged.

Why do we need a referendum?
Changes to the Australian Constitution can’t be made without a referendum. Since 1901, there have been 19 referendums, proposing 44 changes, but only eight of these changes have passed. The last referendum was in 1999 which means anyone under 42 has not participated in one.

How will the Voice Referendum work?
A referendum is a compulsory national vote allowing Australians to consider proposed constitutional changes. This will require a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Referendums run much like elections, so if you are turning 18 or are new to Warringah (or Mackellar), make sure you are enrolled to vote. 

For success, the Referendum must achieve a double majority: approval from a majority of voters nationwide, and a majority of voters in at least four out of six states. If successful, the proposed change will be implemented and enshrined in the Constitution by Parliament.

Why am I supporting it?
In 2017, the Uluru Statement was delivered, representing years of work and consultation involving 250 delegates and 1,200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals across Australia.

The Statement called for constitutional recognition through a practical and simple measure: a Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution. This Voice will give First Australians a seat at the table in the development of policies and legislation that impacts their lives. Being enshrined in the Constitution ensures its permanence and prevents its dismantling, unlike previous Indigenous advisory bodies.

First Australians have issued a generous invitation to walk with them. A chance for Australia to take the next step towards reconciliation and to connect our story of what it means to be Australian with 65,000 years of history.

What will saying ‘Yes’ mean for the nation?
Will a Voice make a practical difference in the lives of First Nations people? Yes. Is it consistent with international human rights obligations? Yes. Is it what the majority of Indigenous people want? Yes. Will it help ‘close the gap’ target and allow for better designed policies impacting Indigenous communities? Yes.

I’ve sat in parliament for the last four years and listened to distressing reports on closing the gap. We are failing. Most gaps won’t be closed in our lifetimes without a different approach.

It’s rare to be tapped on the shoulder for such a moment in our country’s history. This is an opportunity for Australia to reset. Let the referendum speak for the kind of Australia that we want to be. We cannot change the past, but we can vote for a fairer, more equitable future.