Australia sets stage for landmark Indigenous rights referendum
Al JazeeraJun 08, 2023
The Facts
On Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the Voice to Parliament referendum, which seeks to create an all-Indigenous advisory body within the federal government, will take place on Oct. 14.
More than 17M registered voters will be asked to cast a vote on whether they approve of amending the Constitution to recognize the First Nations Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
The Spin
Left narrative
This referendum is perhaps the first serious chance Australia has to chart a new, equitable course for the country — one that includes the voices of the indigenous peoples of Australia. While not a perfect solution, the enshrinement of an indigenous advisory committee would help rectify Australia's shameful history of disenfranchisement and racism against the first people to set foot on the continent's soil. Australia should ignore the old guard and establish a new and fair relationship with indigenous Australians.
Right narrative
The Voice to Parliament is a dangerous proposal that, if passed, will permanently divide the Australian nation on the basis of race. Australians need only look at neighboring countries to understand the risks of approving such an advisory body, as New Zealand's Waitangi Tribunal has been swiftly hijacked by so-called "social justice activists." There are other ways the government can go about improving rights for indigenous populations before undermining unity in the nation.