Indigenous VoiceTo Parliament

Later this year Australians will be asked to vote in a referendum on Indigenous constitutional recognition through a Voice. Recognising First Nation people is one of our country’s most prominent issues, and the referendum is a once in a lifetime opportunity to do just this. Allira Davis, co-chair of the Uluru Youth Dialogue and Cobble Cobble woman from the Barungum and Birrigubba Nations talks us through what that means.

So in layman’s terms, in the simplest form, what is the Voice to Parliament?

The Voice to Parliament is enshrining a First Nations Voice into the Constitution. It will be an advisory body of First Nations Peoples that will provide advice to the government of the day on laws that affect First Nations Communities.

How does this help First Nations Australians?

The advice provided by a First Nations Voice will mean better laws and policies for First Nations Peoples. It will mean better outcomes across the board including health, housing, criminal justice and education.

How will this trickle down at a local level?

The concept of the Voice is based on giving the voice back to the voiceless, so it won’t be a top-to-bottom approach but a bottom-up approach. So the Voice will give back to community leaders who will have a seat at the table. If it’s in the Constitution then the First Nations Voice is permanent, protected and legitimate so politicians and government have to and must listen to us.

When do we vote?

The proposed date is at the end of this year, likely the start to the middle of October. The date hasn’t been set yet but the Prime Minister will have to set a date in the next two to six months because the bill has already passed to run the referendum.

Say the majority votes yes, then what?

The Voice model will be decided on how it will look. There are design principles out there but they will be determined after the fact because once you’re in the Constitution it cannot be changed. It’s not a one-size-fits-all model in our communities so we need to listen to the community leaders who will be the decision makers on policies and laws that affect our communities.

How else can we be an ally to First Nation Australians during this?

To be informed, educated and aware of this issue. Be aware of the misinformation that is on social media. Educate yourself so that you can make an informed and conscious decision when you get the ballot paper.

Is there anything else we should know?

It should be noted that this referendum is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Everyone should be involved and have a say. This is one of the biggest concerns within our country - recognising First Nations Peoples is so important for Australia.

Is there a way this campaign is being incorporated in this year’s SITG?

There will be a Voice to Parliament talk at the Forum on Saturday at 10am where a panel will discuss in further detail what the Indigenous Voice to Parliament will mean from a social, political and community perspective.

Where can we go for more information? ulurustatement.org

Use your remaining two brain cells to complete this Splendour-flavoured quiz!

Across

Our favourite guitar, amp, and pedal makers, as well as a certain Sam

Idles’ favourite ballroom

The name of Brando, Wayans, and this Splendour artist.

Working by itself with little or no direct human control.

Drug _______ is not allowed at Splendour in the Grass

One of the words that rhyme after ‘King’ in this artist’s name

Skeggs’ favourite month

Danny Brown’s favorite board game

Noah and Miley

A quicker way of typing Splendour in the Grass

The last name of one of Slendour’s Qest Bueens

Are fires allowed on the campgrounds?

Down

Little Simz’ first name

Lizzo’s birth city

The last name of the guy who directed the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Heads Will Roll music video Where you’re currently located (also known as the North Byron Parklands)

(A Phrase) How you’ll be describing Lizzo’s set to your friends

The brand of camera that Nick Zinner shoots most of his photos on

The Splendour artist, not the side character in Hamlet

Flume’s latest album (you’re not a real fan if you don’t know this)

An animal featured in the title of hit songs by both Mumford & Sons and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

100 Gecs’ favorite chip snack

Flume’s frequent collaborator (so frequent, she’s performing here at Splendour) 19 17 15 14 13 10 9 8 7 5 2 1

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs saddest/best song

I expect you’ll have a pretty good time here, at Splendour in the Grass, and my expectations tend to come to fruition. Why is that? I have spent time in New York City where there is a psychic/tarot card reader/medium/fortune teller on every corner, so by proximity, I am quite gifted. I don’t see much negativity in the cards for anyone unless your name is Todd, you’re an Aries, and you have brown hair. Then you’re fucked. You are absolutely fucked, man. You’ll be lucky to make it out of this weekend alive, let alone with all of your bodily appendages. You’re on thin ice, Todd. Everyone else, though, here is your daily horoscope, read by me, something of a future seer. Because there are a lot more astrological signs than there needs to be and we only left one page for this horoscope, I am splitting them up amongst the days. Except for Todd. That poor bastard needs my help.

FRIDAY

Aries: Open up and reveal more of your sensitive side, Aries. The more willing you are to share with others, the more they will feel comfortable sharing things with you. Maybe try crying with Idles rather than bashing about. Tell your friends you love them, and shed a tear. Then when they call you out on it, retreat into your natural shell of rigidity and shame.

Taurus: Things should go well for you today as long as you can keep the drama to a minimum, but that’s never been you, has it? You’re the type of person who says passive aggressive shit like, ‘Oh, I wouldn’t have worn that. Looks good on you, though.’ Lean into it.

Gemini: You may have to bring yourself down to ground level in a rather sobering fashion, Gemini. You are about to get knocked in the head and your downfall will be glorious like a really depressing movie. At least you have several soundtracks to choose from.

Cancer: You have a tremendous ability to understand the inner workings of any situation, Cancer. You may need to give someone a reality check to make sure they’re on the same page as you. Have a few drinks, venture into the crowd until you find them - you’ll know them when you see them - and yell, ‘are we on the same fucking page?’

Todd: First of all, I’m sorry, Todd. It isn’t up to me, it’s in the cards and in the stars and in the soul and unfortunately for you, in your future. That said, it is best to be optimistic but protective of yourself. It could be pretty chill tonight, but only if you do the following: go find fried chicken. Eat it. Get the bones. Dip them in your blood. Bury them. Say a prayer over the burial. Reach your arms to the sky and yell, ‘Splendour Gods! I call on thee! Protect me for I am supple and afraid!’

SATURDAY

Leo: Don’t say anything about someone behind his or her back that you wouldn’t want to say if the person were standing right next to you, because they probably are standing right next to you, because you came with them and are shar ing a camp site, and this is a festival where personal space doesn’t exist.

Virgo: decisions, Virgo, do what’s best for you today. Don’t feel like you need to perform certain tasks just because of guilt over a past situation. Maybe that past situation is that you got absolutely smashed last Splendour and everyone remembers what your ass looks like, that doesn’t mean you have to go around showing it just because they asked and you feel guilty. It’s your ass, your time, only show it when it’s right for you. ing, crying during the ing to ‘fix up’ a Sam Fender

Libra: It’s time to settle down from the rapid-fire activities of the past few days and retreat to a quieter state of mind, Libra, so maybe Splendour isn’t the best place for you. There are a lot of meditation tents and I hear that Mumford & Sons’ set is pretty mellow, so maybe start there?

Todd: Oh, Todd. You didn’t do the thing with the bones, did you? And how did that turn out? Not so good, huh? How’s your arm feeling? Hopefully better. It looks horrendous but it’ll get better (maybe). Alright, so today, you need to find a man. He will be wearing a blue thong. How will you know if he’s wearing a blue thong? It’ll come to you. His name is John. He has the crystal. Take the crystal and bring it to Karen O. She will endow you with the powers of the grass, and you will be blessed. This is the only way.

SUNDAY every situation. All I’ll say is that I’m not legally allowed to tell you to streak.

Sagittarius: Turn your energy inward today, Sagittarius. Make a detailed list of what you need to get done in order of priority. Honestly, good advice. You’ve spent the last two days in shambles, missing every set, falling asleep in a pile of empty cups. Get it together, today. The universe believes in you.

Aquarius: Get in touch with your vulnerable side today, Aquarius. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. And by that, the universe means stop pretending to be one of Mumford’s sons. It won’t get you backstage, and to be honest, I don’t even think the people on stage are all related. How many sons does this guy have? Pisces: This is your day, Pisces, so don’t let anyone take it away from you. The key will be to get a head start on whatever goals you wish to accomplish. Don’t waste time thinking about exactly how you’re going to accomplish them. Just get started. Maybe pack up the campsite now so that tomorrow, when the 6000 cars that are blocking in your Corolla move, you’ll be there and ready.

Scorpio: This is an excellent day in which your thinking is clear and your emotions stable. Use this powerful combination of a solid frame of mind and compassionate feelings to express yourself in a sincere,

Capricorn: Your head and heart are working in concert today. Things are coming together just as you expected them to. Have confidence in yourself. More than likely, you have the perfect solution to

Todd: Todd, Todd, Todd, what’re we going to do with you? If this weekend has taught you anything, it is that I am right and you are wrong. Arm’s looking worse. Your eyes are puffy, too. The arm thing will go away, but the eyes won’t. You’ll be looking like a crying Renee Zellweger for the rest of your life, but that’s your own fault for not giving Karen the crystal. Alright, alright, here’s what you do. You need to wake up early, find the man in the cat costume - siamese, not tabby. You gotta find him, and Todd, you have to kiss him. And I mean, really kiss him. Not ‘really’ like full tongue; ‘really’ like kiss him like you love him. Really try to make a connection, Todd. Feel the softness of his lips on yours and take his essence in. Embrace him. Put one hand on his back and the other on his cheek, and when the kiss is done, give him one on the forehead. He’ll start to purr, that’s when you know you’ve done it right. In a matter of minutes, you will feel a joy like you’ve never felt. A lightness. Pure joy.