SUBMISSION TO THE JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER VOICE

Benjamin McGrory / Cammeraygal

Dear Secretary,

RE: INQUIRY INTO THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER VOICE REFERENDUMCONSTITUTION ALTERATION (ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER VOICE) 2023

I am making this submission as a proud LGBT+ Cammeraygal man as Indigenous Officer in the 95th University of Sydney Student Representative Council (SRC). The SRC has historically been a platform for social justice for First Nations communities and assisted Dr Charlie Perkins in the Freedom Rides. Dr Perkins had a vision for Constitutional change and a platform for First Nations communities to make meaningful representations to Parliament and the Executive. The SRC will always fight for First Nations justice and will pursue Voice, Treaty and Truth on behalf of the Community.

This submission is brief and we can supplement with detail in a later submission and at a public hearing if requested by the Committee. I am available to appear on Monday 1st of May.

The proposed legislative law to alter the Constitution in relation to the Voice to Parliament will deliver justice for First Nations communities. As a proud LGBT+ Cammeraygal (Aboriginal) man, I believe that the Voice to Parliament is the only way to have independent and democratically chosen First Nations people to advise Parliament and Government. The Voice will comprise representatives of First Nations communities, genderbalance and will include youth and elderly. The Voice will empower respectful community-led and culturally informed policy solutions designed by us and for us.

The Voice will be held accountable to and be transparent with the Australian Parliament and the Australian public. The proposed alteration contained in this legislation makes it explicitly clear that it will never have a veto power over the Executive and Australian Parliament. The proposed alteration strikes the right balance in making it clear that the Voice to Parliament will not limit the Executive and Parliament’s capacity to operate or alter the Voice. The flexibility awarded to Parliament and Executive to alter the Voice will overcome the “Canberra bubble” by delivering outcomes tailored to First Nations Voices!

Our Voices have historically been excluded and are currently underrepresented by the Australian Parliament, Executive and senior Canberra bureaucracy. This proposed Alteration for the Voice to Parliament will deliver representations to the Executive and Canberra bureaucracy to listen to how legislation targeted for First Nations Communities can be tailored to deliver meaningful policy outcomes for us. Therefore, representing the First Nations students within the 95th USYD SRC, we support a Voice to Parliament and the Executive and the proposed legislation as it will give First Nations Communities the platform to deliver meaningful policy outcomes for our people!

In solidarity, Benjamin

McGrory First Nations Office-Bearer University of Sydney 95th SRC