Following is an extract of Kerry’s O’Brien’s evidence

“As time builds, and the more history you observe, the more you understand about human nature and our incapacity to learn from the past. And it’s sitting in front of us. I heard the echoes of it again listening to evidence this morning. And yet it is so fundamental to our progress as humanity, that we must learn the lessons of the past. And this is an absolutely pivotal moment in which that applies so profoundly, because to hear people say, “we should just keep doing what we’ve done, but just do it better”, does not cut. It does not wash. It is a path to further failure.

“To me, the whole idea of the voice, as simple and as unambitious as it is, in one sense – and as unthreatening as it is to anybody who’s prepared to sit down and really think about it – is that it actually gives the chance for an advisory body to the parliament and to the executive to have a chance to mature and grow and evolve. Just

Constitutional amendment

as the Parliament of Australia did. I imagine the first 10 years of the Parliament of Australia wouldn’t bear too close a scrutiny either.

“When I hear some Australian politicians and others, (implying rather than necessarily saying it straight out), that somehow or other Indigenous people, if they’re given responsibility, will abuse it, I think to the many instances that I’ve seen and reported on of abuses of power in our predominantly white Parliaments around Australia.

“I have seen institutionalised corruption as a result of an abuse of power. And I look at some of the more modern examples of abuses of power and of corruption, and of pork-barrelling and all of those things, and I wonder how anyone can possibly dare to try to take issue with indigenous people that somehow or other they can’t be trusted.”

Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;

2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.

It’s important to note that you will not be voting on what model the Voice to parliament takes, but only, at this stage, whether you agree or disagree that a ‘First Nations Voice’ should be established in our parliament and enshrined in our constitution. There are a number of positions and opinions on the Voice, and numerous sources of information to help you understand the process and principles. Join the conversation using #VoicetoParliament and stay connected on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.