“The Australian Constitution can only be changed in a process called a referendum. A referendum is a vote by Australians to decide if they will support or reject a bill–a proposed law – to change the Australian Constitution. A referendum will only be successful if it is supported by a majority of voters in a majority of states, and by a majority of voters across the nation as a whole (a double majority).”
The debate around the Voice has centred mainly around the details of what the Voice involves, and how it will be implemented practically.
I have a more fundamental question which in my view, appears not to have been addressed to date:
What if after the Voice is enshrined in the Constitution, it is found not to be “fit for purpose,” for whatever reasons?
The Constitution can only be changed as indicated above. This means that if the Voice needs to be amended/revised/removed for whatever reasons, we need another referendum to do so.
As the Prime Minister, Mr Albanese said “it would be a very brave government” that ignored a representation put to government by the new Indigenous body.”
It would take an even braver government, and the majority of States and voters to deal with the Voice should that eventuality arises.
I am not talking about the workings of Voice for the next decade or the next generation, but in perpetuity once it is enshrined in the constitution.
Like many Australians, I am in favour of the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander people in the preamble of the Constitution. But enshrining the Voice in the Constitution is a totally separate matter with serious implications for the country.
The Prime Minister and the government have a responsibility to govern for ALL Australians. As Australians, we have an equal responsibility to not burden future generations with an enshrined body that has far-reaching consequences, intended or otherwise.
I am not a racist just because I raise legitimate concerns about the Voice. I am a NATIONALIST who loves Australia as much as the next Australian. But I worry for Australia when we enshrine a body that has not been tried or tested. Like many Australians, I would need to know how the Voice is going to be dealt with if it is found or deemed not to be “fit for purpose.”