This referendum is about recognition, listening and getting better results

-OPINION PIECE

CATHERINE KING

MEMBER FOR BALLARAT, MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

 

FOR many years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have advocated for constitutional recognition through a voice.

The idea before us, on which we will all vote on 14 October is an idea and an invitation that comes from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people themselves.

It presents a way of recognising Indigenous Australians in our constitution through a form of recognition that will make a positive difference to their lives and futures.

The voice is a practical way forward that no Australian Government has been able to get right before. Because what we are currently doing to close the gap is not working.

As the Prime Minister outlined earlier this year, “on every measure, there is a gap between the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the national average.”

The reality is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people die earlier than the rest of us. The suicide rate is twice that of non-Indigenous Australians. Indigenous people have higher levels of child mortality and disease.

Most Australians recognise that this just isn’t good enough. On 14 October we can all vote yes and say that we as a country can do better.

The voice is a simple proposal that recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians as the first people of this country, while also providing a way to make sure they are listened to about matters that affect them.

Putting it in the constitution also means the voice’s existence isn’t subject to the whims of any particular government.

And the whims of government, have over the last century or so delivered wildly different and often ad hoc policy directions for First Nations people. Some have worked for a while, others have been failed, often despite the best of intentions.

It’s time to listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. And their simple and generous request to Australia is constitutional recognition through a voice to Parliament.

As a regional Australian myself, I know that too often people living outside capital cities have not felt heard on a range of issues, and have rightly demanded they be listened to on issues that affect them.

Indigenous Australians deserve the same. Listening leads to better outcomes, even cheaper outcomes. Listening leads to changes being accepted and even championed.

Listening works.

The voice will be a committee of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from across the nation that will give advice to the Parliament and executive government on matters relating to them.

The voice is about advice. Parliament and government will remain the decision makers, it will not delay decisions or have a veto, nor will it direct funding.

But we might just get better decisions from politicians listening to the voice. It will mean we can hear directly from Indigenous communities about the challenges they are facing in health and education, jobs and housing.

And we can learn what’s working: schools getting great results, Aboriginal health services working with communities, Indigenous Rangers creating jobs and caring for environment.

Giving locals a say also saves money – because the funding actually reaches the people on the ground and makes a positive difference.

Indigenous Australians want the same things for their children as we do: Staying healthy, doing well at school, finding a job they love – leading fulfilling lives.

The voice won’t fix everything overnight – we’re talking about generational challenges. But we will finally have the right approach in place.

Voting yes is a way forward. Voting no leads nowhere.

Don’t close the door on recognition. Don’t close the door on listening to communities.

We should come together to get this done on 14 October. It is not too much to ask.