DEAR News Of The Area,

FURTHER to the lead article in NOTA dated Friday 9 December titled ‘Raise your Voice’.

I see that the Indigenous Voice to Parliament is now being called, just, The Voice. I believe this subtle change is because ‘Indigenous’ refers to anyone born in this country, and that is not what it is intended to mean, or who it is intended to represent.

I suggest it is a stronger position to be a ‘Voice IN Parliament”, rather than a voice to Parliament.

Far better to be AT the table, and being involved in setting, and then, addressing the Agenda.

There are presently eight Senators and three Members of the House of Representatives who identify as Indigenous.

Of the 52 Indigenous Australians who have been elected to any Australian Parliament, 23 have been women.

Our Indigenous Australians are already fully ensconced in the country’s decision-making process.

Let them use their skills and education to support their people where it counts, as fully elected Representatives, sitting IN Parliament AT the table.

To even be discussing ‘why’ an Aboriginal Voice to Parliament is required, and then to be arguing about ‘what it means’, and ‘how it will work’, is to suggest that it is necessary.

It is not necessary.

Even now, as the country merely discusses the proposition, it is becoming divisive, with Indigenous Elders and others fighting among themselves over the issue.

Our Indigenous Australians already have strong, proud voices at the head table.

Why burden them with this ‘Voice’?

Allow those Indigenous Parliamentarians to use theirs.

Encourage more Indigenous Australians to contend for similar positions.

That is the tried and proven way to help ALL Australians.

Say NO to this divisive Voice.

Regards,
Peter WEYLING,
Corindi Beach.