THE upcoming referendum is asking us to add a section to the constitution to recognise Indigenous Australians as the First Peoples of Australia, and to provide for a representative body to be created to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people an opportunity for input into federal government decisions that directly affect them. The Parliament of the day will make the laws in relation to the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the Indigenous Voice body.
From my perspective, this is a straightforward, modest and long-overdue proposition. Should the 'yes' vote carry the majority, what would be the worst that could happen? That nothing changes. The best that could result from a 'yes' vote would be that there will be significant progress in recognition, respect and 'closing the gap' in health, education and social justice for Indigenous Australians. What good would a 'no' vote do?
