Just finished the book ‘The Voice to Parliament’ by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O’Brien..
I Certainly agree that as a nation we have a terrible, indeed disgusting, history of discrimination and cruelty to and of the Aboriginal race in so many ways over so many years! We have to do better for such a group.
To me chapter 6 is very telling in that current programs, run by the indigenous leaders, have been and are accomplishing a great level of success, especially when ‘ignorant’ politicians and other ‘whites’ are excluded.
The other point I would like to make is that all Australian people already have a voice through their elected representative. Not highly visible but nonetheless it is there.
I cannot see any advantage of such an insertion of ‘a Voice’ in our Constitution given that the Executive Government and Parliament as a whole are not required to act on any proposal or request any more than currently.
The down side of such an insertion is simply a ruse to try to extract additional benefit(s) for one section of the population. In other words it is a form of ‘reverse discrimination’! Equally important is the potential for extensive time wasting within the Government and operation of current and future programs, even challenges to the High Court. Could it lead to claims for compensation and reparation, even a treaty of some sort?
To me it makes no sense to take the risk when the Government currently has the power of continuing, improving and initiating programs for the benefit of the Indigenous community. There will always be missteps and poor programs with or without a ‘Voice’. The efficiency of a smooth running Government is all too important rather than one tied up in challenges and talk. There has and is too much of the latter now!
Throwing yet more unknown ‘unaccountable money’ to the indigenous community is not a solution! It is the ‘efficiency of use’ that is needed.
By all means we need to recognise the ‘First Nation People’ in our Constitution but not, in my opinion, by the insertion of the crude and open ended ‘Voice’! Especially as there is so little we know of the proposed operation.
Brad, I am not at all convinced that the the ‘Voice’ will provide any worthwhile benefits as opposed to an unworkable noose around the neck of Government!
In closing – I have been asked by many people as to my thoughts on this volatile proposal. In no way do I wish to influence others one way or another, that is their decision.
Jon