Indigenous Voice gives us the chance to work together

In January 2021, our report on the Voice’s design and potential models was released for public comment. I understand that some are disappointed that constitutional recognition is not part of it, however recognition on its own does not provide the right of advice. Advice cements the meaning of recognition, not the other way around. The same with veto powers – the Voice does not include them. No other group of Australians, such as disability advocates, has the right to veto parliamentary decisions, nor should we.

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Instead, Indigenous Voice is a model for Indigenous peoples to provide legitimate, valued and consistent advice to government and Parliament about the things that matter to us. It is built on principles that we have a right to a formal say on the policies and legislation that is of real importance in our lives. For example, members of the Indigenous Voice could provide formal advice on a new education bill for remote Aboriginal communities that is tabled in parliament. I also know that the Indigenous Voice principles seeks a relationship built on respect, that we in turn can ask the government for advice and work together to negotiate strong, healthy futures. The government cannot force us to give advice on their bills. Rather, the Voice is built as a genuine welcome by us to the government for Indigenous benefit.

I want the Australian public to take pride in its relationships it already has with us, the people of the oldest and continuing world’s cultures, and visit the Indigenous Voice website and media to express support and help build the framework of how the Indigenous Voice will operate.

It is enough that you write your support for implementing the Indigenous Voice, but it’s even better to skim the 239-page whopper report or its shorter accompanying discussion paper and consider questions as to whether, for example, the Voice should be a Commonwealth or private corporation, or open to appointed members who are experts in particular fields (I support appointing our highest Indigenous community and business leaders for set terms and reasons, such as our artists to give advice on intellectual property rights). There is much to consider about how to build the greatest, positive relationship we can, and should, between us.

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I am pushing all my chips in with the Australian public who want something fair, something that feels right in giving us a say in our own affairs, without it being confected or convoluted in what it should be. I witnessed amazing Indigenous and other Australians give their all on the National Co-Design Group with joy, without cynicism and with a clear eye to our task at hand – creating the best models that reflect the best values of Australians working together.

Dr Emma Lee, Indigenous Research Fellow, RegionxLink, Centre for Social Impact, Swinburne University of Technology.