The Voice: How to answer the naysayers

Voting is not enough. Those who say ‘Yes’ to the Voice need to be able to counter the doubters. MARY CROOKS corrects some misconceptions.

We have an historic opportunity to markedly progress the cause of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

By answering Yes in the upcoming referendum, we will loosen much, much more the suffocating stranglehold of denialism. It means we can forge a new compact between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, building on the impressive reconciliation work done so far by so many.

The Voice is a simple, straightforward and practical idea. It has been conceived over many years of thoughtful design, and impressive standards of consultation. It enjoys the support of more than 80% of Indigenous Australians.

The Voice will be an advisory body, allowing the experience, knowledge and wisdom of Indigenous communities to be heard, and reflected, in the development of policies and programs which can positively affect their lives. The design of the Voice will be determined by our elected representatives.

Crucially, once established, it also enshrines a greater level of political accountability from our elected representatives. If they listen, and then choose to disregard sage advice, they must be able to account for this – to us as electors. Continuing to ignore recommendations from such reports as Deaths in Custody and Bringing Them Home, will be at their peril.

Let’s not be distracted or spooked by the sound and the fury out there by some loud negative voices and sections of media that chase conflict and create sideshows. 

Let’s not allow ourselves to be dragged into a vortex of misinformation and lines of argument straight from the same playbook which proclaimed the end of the world with the Mabo judgment; and which questioned the methodology and truth-telling involved in the Stolen Generations Report.