DEAR News Of The Area,

THE Australian Constitution is the national rulebook of our democracy.

Changing it is a big deal, and the decision to do so should not be taken lightly.

So, in this regard Gwyn Austen (NOTA 9/6), I shall not lighten up.

The Constitution was built on a simple democratic principle, and that is that every Australian is equal before the law.

If the change is made, in the form proposed, it will introduce a new chapter called ‘The Voice’, and it will sit alongside the chapters on ‘The Parliament’, ‘The Executive Government’ and ‘The Judicature’.

These are the three branches which are the bedrock of our Constitution.

Justice Isaacs declared that there can be no “fourth branch” of the Constitution.

The Prime Minister has stated that it would be an “advisory” organization only, but he has also stated that it would be a “brave” Government that didn’t do what the Voice wanted.

Sounds, to me, that he has already capitulated to The Voice.

However, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people already have a Voice.

There are eleven indigenous MPs in Canberra, that are their Voice.

There are 3,273 registered Aboriginal Corporations, making representations to governments delivering health and other services.

The National Indigenous Australian Agency (NIAA) has 1,317 employees costing close to 4.5 billion dollars this financial year.

They are the commonwealth body responsible for policy development, implementation and service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – they are their Voice.

Don’t forget as St Paul said in his letter to the Galatians (3:28) in the New Testament: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus”.

Today I say to you: There is neither black nor white, there is neither Indigenous or Immigrant, or whether you are male or female, ye are all one under the Australian Constitution.

If we had the option to vote on recognition without the unnecessary encumbrances of the Voice, I would vote yes.

Until I know more detail about how exactly the Voice will operate and the governance of it – I shall vote NO.

Regards,
Peter WEYLING,
Corindi Beach.