I watched Noel Pearson describing his concept of ‘The Voice’ on a TV program recently and it was pretty close to what I would have proposed.

At the table, on one side, sits local representatives of a community. On the other side sits an administrator, or team, who have the capacity to deliver the resources necessary. The local representatives express what they would like to achieve and the administrator can help flesh those ideas out into practical actions. It is the responsibility of both groups to work together to achieve the representatives’ wishes. Without local community support and effort, nothing useful will be achieved. There was no reference made to those with Aboriginal ancestry who are fully integrated members of the general Australian society living in urban areas.

That is Noel Pearson’s concept of ‘The Voice’, as I understand him. I fully agree that the process will achieve progress and give satisfaction to the local remote community. And progress towards reducing disadvantage. Responsibility lies with both parties in achieving a successful outcome. Local communities have to be involved and responsible for making and implementing proposals. There is no requirement for any other outside influences, provided that the necessary resources are given when required and that responsibility is taken by both parties to an agreed set of actions.

There is no requirement for any constitutional changes in this proposal. Legislation can achieve the results required, even if the responsibility on the administration side may have to be split between federal and state governments. Already there are a number of Aboriginal organisations which can be repurposed to work in this fashion. There is not even any necessity to increase overall funding, although there may well have to be some budgetary manipulation to assign monies to the required areas.

This, however, is not what is being proposed for the referendum on The Voice. The referendum is attempting to enshrine a further level of government within the Constitution. This group will have no responsibilities and no limits. The Australian Constitution is basically an outline of how government should work for and within Australia. It sets out the rights and responsibilities of both federal and state governments. It makes no reference to the rights of citizens, leaving these to the previously established common and legislated law, unlike the American Constitution.

The referendum gives no explanation of how The Voice will work; that will be left to the government, which means anything can happen. So, Noel Pearson’s reasonable concept may not even eventuate. Like many people, I just do not trust governments to either keep their words or deliver their promises.

I and (I suspect) the vast majority of Australian citizens, would have no disagreement with inserting a clause in the Constitution acknowledging Aboriginal Australians. Already they are included in the political process and the Constitution. But I am strongly opposed to giving any undefined group, based upon race, unlimited influence over how the country is run, in perpetuity. That is why, despite wishing to help remote, disadvantaged Aborigines improve their lot in life and become more involved as citizens, I am strongly opposed to the contents of the referendum proposal and I will vote No.