Legal experts weigh in on Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum question

Written by Castan Centre members Dr Katie O’Bryan and Professor Paula Gerber, this article, Legal experts weigh in on Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum question, explains the significance and implications of the proposed constitutional amendment to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

It emphasises that the amendment - endorsed as safe by the Solicitor-General - poses no threat to Australia’s democratic system and simply enables First Nations peoples to make representations to Parliament and the executive government.

The piece outlines five key aspects of the question and the proposed constitutional change that are important for voters to understand ahead of the Voice referendum:

  • How is the constitution going to be amended?
  • Why is the question so brief?
  • What is the significance of the inclusion of executive government?
  • Why should Parliament get to decide the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the Voice?
  • How much input did Indigenous people have into the final wording?

A dirt path in the desert of Uluru. Photo by Gustavo Sanches on Unsplash.

This article was first published on The Canberra Times. Read the full article (paywall).