Over recent weeks we’ve all watched and listened to the debate over 'The Voice to Parliament' play out in the media, at dinner tables and in the public sphere.
Conversations have caught fire and it seems that a lot of confusion has got in the way of the facts.
This is partly because right-wing hardliners have deliberately launched misinformation and disinformation to seed fear, cloud issues and inflame political debate. But also because many people are saying they don’t really know what the proposed Voice to parliament and constitutional recognition actually mean, and what it will mean for Australia going forward …
And yet, how many people - including you - are actively taking responsibility to seek out facts, stay informed and educate yourself about the Voice?
The referendum date is set for October 14. A referendum is a question put to eligible Australian voters that has the power to change the constitution - that is, the body of rules that set out how this country is governed. At present, holding a referendum is the only way for the government to amend the constitution.
The Voice would enshrine in the nation’s constitution a mechanism for a group of Indigenous representatives to offer advice to the Executive Government and Parliament on matters and issues affecting the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Embedding the Voice in the constitution would also finally recognise the incredibly special place First Nations people have in Australian history.
The Voice would be an advisory body designed to improve outcomes in health, education and wellbeing. Important to note here is that this advisory body would NOT have the power to veto laws.
As a journalist I understand and am committed to platforming many different points of view.
But as a person committed to equal opportunity and fairness, improving outcomes for indigenous people who are - proportionally - the most incarcerated people on the planet by percentage of their population, the most disadvantaged ethnic group in Australia and a people who have an life expectancy of nearly eight years shorter than other Australian men and women, I personally think this referendum is a once in a generation chance to bring our country together.
I asked Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo to join us on Human Cogs to have an open conversation about what the Voice to parliament means, and why it will play an important role in Australia’s future.
Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man, the Assistant National Secretary of the MUA, a signatory of the ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart’ and he sits on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Referendum Working Group, which drafted the referendum question.
Mayo has recently co-written a book with acclaimed journalist Kerry O’Brien called 'The Voice to Parliament Handbook', to equip Australians with balanced and fair information about the Voice.
No matter your view, I encourage you to listen to this conversation and make it your responsibility to make an informed decision when you step up to vote on October 14.
It is the least you can do for democracy - and for the future of our country.
APOLOGIES TO LISTENERS: Sadly Wifi was against us on the day of recording this episode (!) so please bear with the very ordinary sound quality. We promise it does get better as the conversation goes on and it's worth a listen!
Guest: Thomas Mayo
Website: https://www.thomasmayo.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomasamayo/
Host: Mads Grummet
Producer: Daryl Missen
Show Notes:
Read the Australian Government Referendum Question and Constitutional Amendment: https://voice.gov.au/referendum-2023/referendum-question-and-constitutional-amendment
What is The Voice? https://voice.gov.au/
National Indigenous Australians Agency: https://www.niaa.gov.au/
The Voice To Parliament Handbook: https://lnk.to/thevoicetoparliamentbook
Yes23: https://www.yes23.com.au/
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Human Cogs Podcast
Hosts: Sabina Read and Mads Grummet
Human Cogs is available on Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts or via our website where you can also catch great conversations with previous guests :)
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