‘Uluru Statement’ far from innocuous document

HUGH Selby’s column (“No referendum: actions speak louder than words”, CN February 9) is spot on – there is no need for a referendum.

As for me, I have many serious concerns about the Voice.

On the face of it, the “Uluru Statement from the Heart” seems benign enough but, in fact, is far from an innocuous document, with First Nations saying:

• We seek constitutional reform to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country.

• We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.

• We seek a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history.

• We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.

Readers should think very hard about the ramifications of these statements being enshrined in the Constitution. What are the First Nations really after?

One can easily think of the Voice as a Trojan horse that would indirectly activate the “Uluru Statement” in the Constitution.

Of most concern is that an enshrined Voice would inevitably demand answers and action on absolutely any aspect of living in Australia, as would permit the PM’s proposed, loosely worded (second statement) for the Constitution, not just what affects indigenous citizens only.

An essential change to the third statement should be that “the Voice be empowered to make representations to the parliament and the executive government about matters… that have a connection only to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in need”, which would restrict representations by the Voice and legislation to indigenous communities where the “gap” is evident and not to any issue affecting the wider population, including urbanised dwellers claiming Aboriginal heritage.

Given the best interests of the nation, there is actually no logical, rational case for enshrining the Voice in the Constitution. Unfortunately, the subject has been completely politicised by the PM, Minister Burney, elites and do-gooders – 100 per cent emotion, 0 per cent logic – which is meaningless to the indigenous peoples who are suffering, literally on the ground.

Max Flint, via email

Time to show some generosity of spirit

COLUMNIST Hugh Selby (“No referendum: actions speak louder than words”, CN

February 9), despite his legal background, seems to be confused over constitutional processes.

Amendment proposals are voted on by all eligible Australians, then acted on by the parliament under constitutionally imposed obligations. The majority of indigenous Australians are clear; in the past they have not been listened to and constitutional recognition at least provides the certainty of their fair and basic request.

The structure and processes of the practical stage, the Voice advisory body, have yet to be finalised (the task force’s reports are simply discussion starters). Everyone will have the opportunity to offer up ideas, maybe even some better ones when the draft legislation is released. That’s why the call for “detail” is premature and obviously politically motivated. What’s been tried before hasn’t worked very well. A Coalition government asked indigenous Australians in 2015 to tell it what they wanted. After two years of Australia-wide consultation with indigenous groups, 230 representatives came up with the “Uluru Statement from the Heart” only to have it peremptorily dismissed by PM Malcolm Turnbull. If nothing else, disputatious Australians should show now some generosity of spirit and stop cavilling over misinformed trivialities.

Finally, in suggesting that “actions speak louder than words”, Mr Selby seems to be condemning the main characteristic of his own profession. He might also note the

Voice’s ringing endorsement, legal and moral, offered by former High Court Chief Justice, Robert French.

Eric Hunter, Cook

The same thing over and over

THERE have been four Aboriginal “Voices” since 1973. All four, including ATSIC, were abolished through bi-partisan resolution of parliament for incompetence, nepotism, fraud and embezzlement.

The Closing the Gap Commission and the Council of Peaks of Aboriginal peak councils, among dozens of others, already exist. What are they doing?

It is the height of foolishness to repeat the same thing over and over, hoping for a different result.

Warren Mundine, a former Labor Party chairman, correctly assesses indigenous disadvantage: “The world over, social breakdown, family violence and abuse, drug and alcohol abuse go hand in hand with kids not going to school, adults not in work and chronic intergenerational welfare dependency.”

I have Aboriginal social friends in the NT. It is appalling that welfare keeps them fed, housed and medicated with no incentive to use their undoubted abilities for self-support.

I must vote NO. Mr Albanese should heed Warren Mundine and Jacinta Price, setting the money from a referendum towards schooling and on-the-job training for Aboriginal people.

Anthony Hordern, Jamison Centre

We are taking a terrible risk

I AGREE with Patricia Parker (Letters, CN February 9), we are taking a terrible risk in extending the Voice referendum beyond indigenous Australians.

The concept creates two classes of voters, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. Good results? Aboriginal Australians want the Voice and the rest of us agree; Aboriginal voters reject the Voice and so do the rest of us.

We also have one extremely difficult possible outcome – Aboriginal Australians reject the Voice but the rest of us impose it on them.

As things currently are structured, there is also possibly one absolutely catastrophic outcome where Aboriginal Australians want the Voice and the rest of us won’t let them have it. I simply can’t understand why we are taking the risk of the last two possibilities.

Noel Beddoe, Belconnen

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opinions welcome “CityNews” welcomes all opinions on the Voice. Respectful submissions of up to 750 words to editor@citynews.com.au, please.