HEART REVOLUTION | INDIGENOUS VOICES | ABORIGINAL RIGHTS | COLONISATION | JUSTICE

The Australian Referendum

Why Should I say Yes to the Voice?

Today was the day for ‘Walk for Yes’ rallies in Australia and overseas for supporters of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

On 14th October 2023, Australians will vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in a referendum.

The question that will be put to voters is whether they agree to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Australian constitution.

‘Yes’ means, that I agree to changing the Australian constitution to add a chapter, to recognise the First Peoples of Australia, and to agree to create an advisory committee to the government, to advise on matters relating to the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Island People.

Why is this ‘yes’ so difficult?

Unfortunately, saying this yes, or no, which should have been a moral question for Australians to consider, has become a political issue. Fear mongering and political differences are splitting the people in two, yes, and no camps.

The argument for No campaign seems to be that this change in the Constitution gives the first nation peoples almost unlimited scope that threatens equality of citizenship in Australia. Or that it “won’t help” to close the gap.

Whereas the ‘Yes’ campaign believes in giving this voice to those first nations peoples, who were wrongly disposed of their rightful land, as a necessary step to better their lives. Aboriginal people have suffered and are still enduring discrimination, disadvantage and disrespect.

One yes campaign spokesperson has wondered why it is so difficult to say yes.

Voice is only an advisory body. A committee to advise Australian government on the Aboriginal matters.

“The government will make all the decisions at the end of the day.”

Can’t we agree to that much!

“Voting No means nothing will change. It means accepting we can’t do better.”

For at least 60,000 years Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on the land now known as Australia. Till European colonisation of this land, these people had enjoyed their traditional social, legal organisation and land rights.

Approximately 200 years ago, European settlement changed this for ever.

Let's be creative and put it right by saying yes!

As Filza Chaudhry in her latest post on creativity writes,

Creative souls seek a world of perfection!

“Just imagine if the Australian constitution recognises 60,000 years of history,” Australia’s Indigenous Affairs Minister, Ms Burney said.