YMAC’s position on the Voice

The referendum seeks to recognise First Nations peoples in the Australian Constitution in the way they want to be – through a Voice to Parliament. This advisory body will provide guidance on issues that directly or disproportionately affect First Nations peoples, acknowledging they are the experts on such matters.

“The support for a change to the Constitution will bring about a different way this country will operate. It will make us equal. In 2023, we are finally getting the opportunity to truly recognise First Nations people. WA is critically important to this referendum. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose.” – The Hon. Linda Burney MP, Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians

The recognition of First Nations peoples ensures they take their rightful place in the Australian Constitution. A successful referendum will help build a shared future for all Australians based on mutual respect, reconciliation, and collaboration.

“By recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and removing discrimination, we are sending a powerful message about the way we wish to see ourselves as a nation, as Australians. We are saying that we truly believe in equality, in a fair go, and in non-discrimination for all Australians. We are saying that we truly respect and honour the 60,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history that is currently missing from our nation’s founding document.” – Mick Gooda, then-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission

The referendum is the culmination of the ongoing journey towards reconciliation and justice for First Nations peoples since colonisation. It will help address discrimination and work towards healing the deep wounds of the past. Acknowledging and addressing past injustices, builds trust, and promotes a more inclusive and equitable future for all Australians. A Voice to Parliament will strengthen the relationship between First Nations peoples and the wider Australian community.

“There are few times in Australian history when such a diverse group of organisations representing some very disparate interests have come together to support a particular goal. Constitutional recognition and a greater say for First Nations peoples have been a central pillar of the reconciliation movement for decades. In 2000, our predecessor, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, called for a referendum for constitutional recognition, and stressed the critical importance of a greater First Nations voice in decisions that impact us. Twenty-three years later, the reconciliation movement, including our RAP partners, are just as certain and just as passionate that these outcomes are central to Australia’s journey of reconciliation.” – Karen Mundine, CEO, Reconciliation Australia

The referendum is the culmination of the ongoing journey towards reconciliation and justice for First Nations peoples since colonisation. It will help address discrimination and work towards healing the deep wounds of the past. Acknowledging and addressing past injustices, builds trust, and promotes a more inclusive and equitable future for all Australians. A Voice to Parliament will strengthen the relationship between First Nations peoples and the wider Australian community.

“Those who say there are already Indigenous voices in Parliament are wrong – they are only there while they remain elected, and there’s always a possibility, after each election, there won’t be any Indigenous representatives at all. And just because Tasmania elects a First Nations person to Federal Parliament, that’s not going to help with issues in the Mid West or Pilbara. By committing to a Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, it means there will always be First Nations representation, no matter what the outcome of an election might be.” – Peter Windie, YMAC Co-Chairperson, Yamatji Region

The establishment of a Voice to Parliament will provide a platform for acknowledging and addressing past injustices, through meaningful participation and informed truth-telling. It will seek to ensure injustices like the forced removal of First Nations children from their families (the “Stolen Generations”) and decisions like the recent ‘Northern Territory Intervention’ will never happen again. It will address other forms of embedded and structural discrimination and marginalisation to provide equality and justice for First Nations peoples.

“Currently, the government and policy makers are not compelled to hear what First Nations have to say about the laws and policies that affect them. Entrenchment [in the Constitution] will mean listening to mob is compulsory, and allowing Indigenous input into policy will be mandated. This will mean that laws and policies are more likely to be targeted and tailored to community problems and needs — and it will mean laws and policies are less likely to fail.” – Professor Megan Davis, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous, University of New South Wales

A Voice to Parliament will provide a space for First Nations peoples to meaningfully contribute to laws, policies and decisions on matters affecting them. Decisions will be made with representations from First Nations peoples, rather than for them. This will influence the development of better laws and policies, better targeted investment, and ultimately better outcomes for First Nations peoples. Further, this will ensure targets are achieved in the ‘National Agreement on Closing the Gap,’ and relevant State and Territory Government strategies.

“We need to be involved in the decisions about us to ensure our concerns and ideas – and potential solutions – are heard by government. No one understands the issues better than us, as we are the people having the lived experience. The ‘one solution fits all’ approach doesn’t work, given the diversity of our mobs in all parts of Australia, and that’s something we’ll be able to better get across with the Voice.” – Natalie Parker, YMAC Co-Chairperson, Pilbara Region

Inserting an enabling power for a Voice to Parliament in the Australian Constitution ensures there will be better outcomes for First Nations peoples. This is because it is a sustainable solution that allows for continued results – which a statutory-based Voice to Parliament would not provide. Through being constitutionally enshrined, it will not be able to be abolished at the whim of changing future governments. Further, it ensures that appropriate representation on critical issues is provided, as First Nations people in Parliament only represent their electorate.

“We have reached a point as a people where we can have confidence in ourselves that we can deal with issues such as representation. In the past, structures, such as ATSIC, have been dismantled by government before we even had a chance to improve things. We would have sorted it eventually, if we’d been given the time. With a Voice – and time – we can make a difference and improve things as time goes on. The important thing now is to get it in the Constitution.” – Thomas Mayo, member of the Federal Government’s Referendum Working Group and Referendum Engagement Group

A Voice to Parliament will work alongside existing organisations and traditional structures to provide independent advice to Parliament and Government on matters relating to the social, spiritual, and economic wellbeing of First Nations peoples. It will be representative, transparent and accountable.

“What is clear is that the landscape we are working within is complex. Our [Voice to Parliament] proposals will provide a framework to support what is already happening in many areas around the country, although disjointed and lacking a national body, where existing Indigenous advisory bodies and councils operate. It will enhance shared decision-making and ensure we are heard at all levels, as no one level of government has sole responsibility for delivery of the programs, tools or funding that are needed to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.” – Professor Dr Marcia Langton AO, Co-Chair (with Professor Tom Calma AO), Indigenous Voice Co-Design Senior Advisory Group

 A Voice to Parliament will be separate to Parliament and Government, and have no veto power.  It will address the social and economic disadvantage of First Nations peoples by ensuring their views are considered in legal and policy development to recognise and protect their unique rights and interests, which historically, have been excluded.

“The referendum provides an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge the unique rights of Indigenous Australians as the first people of this continent – the oldest continuous culture in the world. This would be a powerful act of national unity. By giving First Nations people a say in the decisions that affect their lives, the Voice could help to ensure that their perspectives, priorities and aspirations are taken into account in the development of policies and laws. This could help to address the historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Australians have faced, and is a step towards achieving racial equality to help us heal and move forward as a community.” – Chin Tan, Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission

A Voice to Parliament will help meet international human rights standards. Internationally, Australia lags behind when it comes to the rights of First Nations peoples when compared to countries such as Canada and New Zealand. It will provide for better human rights protections by promoting equality and self-determination for First Nations peoples in Australia. It will also function to demonstrate Australia is genuine in its commitments on an international level, including those contained in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

“Australia cannot claim leadership internationally, without respecting its international commitments in respect to Indigenous Peoples.” – Dr Hannah McGlade, Member, UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues

The referendum presents a rare opportunity for Australia to recognise First Nations peoples. By amending the Constitution and establishing a Voice to Parliament, we will demonstrate that we are willing to take meaningful actions to support First Nations peoples, and not just talk about improving outcomes. As a nation, we are ready – it’s time!

“In 2023, it’s time for Australia to recognise Indigenous Australians… For too long, governments have made policies for Indigenous Australians, not with Indigenous Australians. We need the Voice to change that… because the gap isn’t closing fast enough” – The Hon. Linda Burney MP, Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians