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Voice to Parliament: Early voting begins in historic
Australian referendum
IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES
Image caption: The referendum will be decided on October 14
By Tiffanie Turnbull: BBC News: www.bbc.com
Australia has begun early voting in a landmark referendum on enacting an
Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
If approved, the reform would recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in
the country’s constitution and establish a permanent body for them to advise the
government.
The country has not had a successful referendum in almost 50 years.
Opinion polls had long-shown support for the proposal, but as the vote nears the No
side appears to be leading.
While the majority of Australians will vote on 14 October, those who are unable to can
vote at select polling centres right across the country from Tuesday.
The Voice to Parliament was recommended by a historic document in 2017 called the
Uluru Statement from the Heart. Drafted by more than 250 Indigenous leaders, the
statement is considered the best – though not unanimous – call to action for reforms on
issues affecting First Nations Australians. It also lays out a longer process of
treaty-making and truth-telling.
But the Voice proposal has become the subject of fierce debate in Australia, and a
lightning rod for misinformation and racist abuse.
Its supporters say it will lead to better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people, who face lower life expectancy, and disproportionately poorer health and
education outcomes than other Australians.
But those against it argue – among other things – that the Voice is a largely symbolic
gesture which will fail to enact change, and that it could undermine Australia’s existing
government structures.
For the referendum to succeed, a majority of Australians need to vote yes, but there
also needs to be majority support in at least four of Australia’s six states.
The composition, functions and powers of the body, whose advice would not be binding,
would then be designed and debated by the parliament.
Recent polling has shown a steady – yet dramatic – decline in public support for the
Voice, but one poll on Tuesday showed the Yes side making ground for the first time in
months.
Australia last held a referendum in 1999, when it rejected the opportunity to become a
republic.
Only eight of Australia’s 44 referendums have been successful – the most recent in 1977
– and none have passed without bipartisan support.
Additional Articles on the topic should you wish to go deeper on the issue.
● What is Australia’s Voice to Parliament referendum?
● Lies fuel racism ahead of historic Australia vote
