Australia's electoral system is built around single-member geographic districts and elected members who represent those districts. There are four reasons why Indigenous Members of Parliament play a different role from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. This has a ring of truth, but the structure and function of Australian parliamentary democracy means that it is not accurate. It is often assumed that Indigenous Members of Parliament will act as representatives for Indigenous peoples across Australia. These are positive developments that could help with Indigenous Australians' unique interests and concerns being heard in Parliament, but it does not mean that there is no need for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. This means that 4.8 per cent of the Parliament is Indigenous (11 of 227), exceeding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander proportion of the population (3.2 per cent). A record eleven Indigenous Australians are serving in the current 47 th Parliament. In recent years, increasing numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have secured election to Parliament. Do we need an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice when there are already elected Indigenous parliamentarians? It is intended to help people better understand some of the complex issues and confusing commentary that has surrounded the Voice proposal so they can make an informed decision when they vote at the referendum later this year. It provides responses to common concerns currently being raised about the Voice. This document has been prepared by the First Nations Portfolio (FNP) at The Australian National University (ANU). A poll in February 2023, for example, found that only 31 per cent of respondents felt 'well informed about what the change means', while 37 per cent said 'they don't feel informed'. It is vital that Australians understand the proposal and understand why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have called for a Voice to be put in the Constitution. Despite this, many Australians still have questions about what the proposed change means. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.Ī lot of work has also been done to outline what the Voice will look like and how it will work.The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice After much deliberation, on 23 March the Prime Minister announced the words the government wants inserted into the Constitution, as well as the referendum question it plans to put to the Australian people.Ĭhapter IX - Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoplesġ29. There has been significant work done to settle various important matters related to the referendum. It will be an important moment for the country. The referendum is expected to be held between October and December 2023. Grounded in their inherent rights as the 'first sovereign Nations of the Australian continent and adjacent islands', the Statement called for a First Nations Voice to be put in the Constitution and a legislated Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement making and truth telling. On 30 July 2022, on the lands of the Yolngu nation at the Garma Festival, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese re-affirmed his government's 'promise to implement the Statement from the Heart at Uluru, in full'. As part of that commitment, it is pursuing a referendum, as its first priority, to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Australian Constitution. On, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 'from all points of the southern sky' gathered on the red dust of Mutitjulu and issued the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Responding to common concerns about an aboriginal and torres strait islander voice
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