The Voice. What exactly is it and what are we being asked to vote on and what is next? These are questions I hear every day and in truth I don’t know how to answer it.
That’s because we don’t know how The Voice will represent our WA Aboriginal community, how it will be selected, how much it will cost, what it’s focus will be, or most importantly, how it will close the gap.
What we do know is that it will be permanent, and that Labor are banking on people overlooking all the uncertainty and voting on a vibe. Well, I say the details matter.
West Aussies are uncertain and confused, just like we are regarding the changes to the WA Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act. Just like their State counterparts, Federal Labor is pushing on without addressing basic concerns and questions.
Firstly, I don’t see how this proposal will represent our regional Indigenous communities. I am privileged to represent Australia’s second largest Indigenous population. The Indigenous communities in Durack are not some homogeneous mob. In the Pilbara alone there are over thirty different languages spoken. How will the unique needs and concerns of these groups be reflected on the Voice committee?
The Prime Minister has not confirmed how many members there will be, saying such matters will be dealt with by Parliament. That would be a nice dodge if we ignored the fact that the Prime Minister controls Parliament, for now.
Nonetheless, one model referenced so far includes a national body of 24 members, three of which from WA. Are three people seriously going to provide expert advice on what policies need to be implemented across each unique WA community?
Secondly, how will the Voice representatives will be selected? The official Yes pamphlet says “Members of the Voice will be chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their local area”. Again, there is the issue of ‘local’. Communities in our north west could potentially end up being represented by someone thousands of kilometres away. Even if they are to be chosen, how will they be chosen? What will be the process? Will this occur through direct election?
In the Nordic Sami Parliaments only Sami people are entitled to enrol to vote for their representatives. You must prove the Sami language is spoken in your home or the home of your parents or grandparents in order to be eligible. Does Labor think that is workable in Australia?
Thirdly, it’s clear no issue will be beyond its focus or influence. Voice proponents have confirmed it’s power to influence not just Parliament, but all federal departments, agencies and other bodies such as the Reserve Bank. The Voice will be able to comment on anything from submarines to interest rates.
Despite so many uncertainties, we do know the Voice is just the beginning. This week in Parliament we highlighted the fact that Labor supports the Uluru Statement in full. That means a Treaty is just around the corner. If you thought there was little information about the Voice, wait until we get to a Treaty.
I questioned the Minister for Indigenous Australians on whether the Voice, Treaty, Truth process involves any financial payment by the Commonwealth. Instead of responding to the prospect of reparations the Minister said she had repeatedly explained the need for the Voice and extensively about the Uluru Statement. The Government has already begun spending money on the creation of a treaty but yesterday refused to say how this money is being spent.
The Prime Minister is asking us to sign a binding contract without first seeing its terms. Why aren’t they being upfront about what the Voice and subsequent Treaty will look like?
Australians must decide on the biggest change to our Constitution in our history. It’s only fair that basic questions and concerns are answered, and a coherent proposal is put forward.
In February I wrote in the West that we needed to forget the ‘vibe’ and it’s the details that matter. After six months of moral lecturing, we are no closer to learning anything of substance. We don’t even know the date of the referendum.
Australians deserve answers, and to echo another of the Prime Minister’s favourite lines, if not now, when?
Maybe he will share more detail at Garma this weekend.
The Hon Melissa Price MP
Federal Member for Durack
Opposition Whip