The Voices and Hands of God: At approximately 11.30am eastern time on Saturday Joining the PM will be my father in laws mate, Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians (Linda has a knack for dancing 💃)
‘Momentum is building’: high hopes for an Indigenous voice to parliament as Garma festival starts
Garma Live Streaming and Blogging
The world is being undone before us. If we do not reimagine Australia, we will be undone too
“We recognise the risks of failure but we choose not to dwell on them, because we see this referendum as a magnificent opportunity.”
Anthony Albanese's speech at Garma on The Voice
Albanese releases draft wording for Indigenous 'Voice to parliament' referendum
SPEECH IN FULL: PM Anthony Albanese unveiled proposal for Indigenous Voice to Parliament | ABC News
It is difficult to articulate the level of collective frustration and anxiety that has built up in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia as government after government has kicked the can down the road — talking big but delivering little to empower First Australians in the Constitution.
Report after report, consultation after consultation, more talks, empty rhetoric, and policy paralysis has been the hallmark of Canberra. There's been a cognitive dissonance — a lot of talk about the plight of the world's oldest surviving culture but little, materially, to rectify it.
The last prime minister to come to the Garma Festival before Anthony Albanese's arrival this weekend was Malcolm Turnbull, who broke hearts when he described a Voice to Parliament as a so-called "third chamber". As a moderate Liberal prime minister, there was great hope that he would deliver.
Anthony Albanese to reveal ‘simple and clear’ wording of referendum question on Indigenous voice
It is time to recognise the Voice, and it should be bipartisan (“A broken Voice is no option”, July 30). As the PM says, there is nothing to lose but everything to gain. Indigenous people deserve a voice, and it is not taking away any current rights under the Constitution. It is not a third chamber, as described by Malcolm Turnbull and Barnaby Joyce. It may be symbolic but it is important. When you salute a flag, it is symbolism but it carries that patriotic feeling in us. We should have the same symbolism in the Constitution so Indigenous people won’t be forgotten when the government of the day is making decisions about them. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill
For the Indigenous peoples, the Voice needs to be thought through in relentless detail. Who would the Voice consist of? Would members be elected or selected? How would it authentically and equally represent the many diverse and individual Indigenous groups? Or would it be a conduit through which disparate groups would be consulted, as and when local issues pertaining to them arose? If so, who would determine when an issue applied to them and required consultation? Since it is to be advisory, with no power to legislate, what happens when the parliament can’t follow the advice?
If, as a result of consequent frustration, it was later made legislative, would that not lead to new and unresolvable conflict? These matters must be clarified to referendum voters quickly, so that “Yes” can win with confidence. Peter Fleming, Northmead
I look forward to voting in the Aboriginal Voice in parliament referendum. While the PM’s proposed wording is a start, it is not enough. It needs to be followed in the referendum with the exact wording of the amendment proposed to the Commonwealth Constitution, as well. I remember that the “preamble” proposed for the last referendum more than 20 years ago failed, as it was too vague. Adrian Jackson, Middle Park (Vic)
I suggest putting the goal “to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Voice” first, and the process of “an alteration to the Constitution” second. Also, if it is a “representative” Voice, then add that for clarity, but only after appropriate consultation. I thank the PM and the government for working to enact the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Jennifer Fergus, Croydon
Uluru statement campaigners welcome Albanese’s referendum commitment
Aboriginal History, English literature, piano lessons …
Richard Flanagan delivers acclaimed speech at Garma festival
