Politics will be haunted by the spectre of people making up their minds on a defining issue before a date is even set.
January 26 is not the best day to gauge the progress of a campaign to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution, and to establish a body that gives them a platform from which to be heard by the government and the parliament on issues that affect them.
But if you have been paying attention, the complexities and divisions would not seem to augur particularly well for the quality of the national debate in the months ahead.is among a phalanx of Indigenous people attacking the proposal from the left. As Uluru Statement co-author and constitutional lawyer Megan Davis told ABC’s 7.30 in December: “One of the key things about the Voice is that we’re not just involved in parliament until the bells are ringing [for a vote on legislation]. We’d be at the table when they’re designing the laws and policies and having the initial conversations.” At the moment, she says, “there’s a lot of noise”.
At the Australia Day concert at the Sydney Opera House, he shared a platform with NSW Liberal Premier Dominic Perrottet, who reiterated his government’s support for the Voice. As did Tasmanian Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff at a press conference on Friday. “Every state premier, every chief minister, is supporting Yes at this referendum because this is about progress going forward. It is about reconciliation. It’s not a radical proposition. So I’m not surprised that some radicals are opposed to it. Because this is a mainstream proposition. This is a modest and gracious request for reconciliation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘We are the voice’: Sydney Invasion Day speakers reject Voice to ParliamentWe went to the InvasionDay rally in Brisbane/Meeanjin and spoke to a number of attendees about what this day means to them. Read more about the rallies held around the country here:
Read more »
Voice referendum, plan to 'abolish' Australia Day in spotlight at rallies around the countryAs the so-called change-the-date debate continues around the country, Dunghutti rights activist Paul Silva is floating another idea: abolish Australia Day altogether.
Read more »
Honours recipient Penn calls for debate on Voice and Australia DayThe former Telstra boss and other prominent figures who received Australia Day honours say there should be a meaningful debate about Indigenous opposition to January 26.
Read more »
‘Treaty before Voice’: Thousands gather for anti-Australia Day protestsThousands of protesters have gathered at rallies across the country against the Australia Day public holiday, with the proposed Voice to Parliament taking centre stage.
Read more »