The simple truth is that a legislation-first approach to establishing a Voice without constitutional protection is bad policy. And it is not true to the Uluru Statement.
The mission of Voice. Treaty. Truth in the Uluru Statement represents very carefully sequenced reforms. A proper understanding of these should guide any constitutional changes.
The Greens senator-elect believes a treaty should be prioritised over a Voice to Parliament. But we believe a Voice can be a pragmatic first step toward deeper reform.
Australians have been working towards meaningful change for almost a decade. That cannot be derailed by reverting to symbolic recognition.
Morrison this week delivered to an audience of big business what was described as his most important speech for the rest of the year.
Steven Saphore/AAP
Next week begins the year’s final parliamentary fortnight, and the main attention will be on the fate of two bills - the ensuring integrity legislation, and the medevac repeal.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to recast how decisions are made about Indigenous affairs.
AAP Image/Lukas Coch
We have welcomed the opportunity to guide the co-design process because we feel this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to recast how decisions are made in Indigenous affairs.
‘It’s really an appalling story of lack of accountability [and] lack of oversight by this government’, says Michelle Grattan on the findings in the interim report from the aged care royal commission.
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As the first Indigenous federal cabinet minister, Ken Wyatt is widely respected in first peoples communities, but by the same token, the expectations on him are very high.
Professor Megan Davis is an independent expert member of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
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Megan Davis on a First Nations Voice in the Constitution.
The Conversation, CC BY31.4 MB(download)
Megan Davis says the idea of including an Indigenous Voice in the Constitution is being rejected on an understanding that "simply isn't true" but believes Australia has the "capacity to correct this".
The government has announced its plan to put a referendum this term to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Michelle Grattan speaks with University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Deep Saini about the government’s plans to put forward a referendum to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution.
The government’s proposal for a referendum will only happen if it can get consensus on the content of what would go into the constitution, and there’s a high probability of a favourable outcome.
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It would be another miracle if the Morrison government managed to have a referendum passed to give Australia’s Indigenous people constitutional recognition.
Ken Wyatt proposed plans for constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians during this parliamentary term.
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Ken Wyatt on constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians
The Conversation, CC BY27 MB(download)
Ken Wyatt says he is "optimistic about achieving [constitutional recognition] because...Australians will generally accept an opportunity to include Aboriginal people" and that he will work with "naysayers".
The Morrison government has begun seeking the counsel of Indigenous leaders on the best way forward on constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.
AAP/The Conversation
Ken Wyatt, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, announced plans to hold a referendum to enshrine constitutional recognition of Australia’s Indigenous peoples during this parliamentary term.
Abbott’s previous policies on Indigenous issues were characterised by funding cuts, exclusions and silencing – all of which makes his role as envoy highly questionable to Indigenous communities.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
The proposals Abbott has pushed as envoy - more police in Indigenous communities and learning in English - demonstrates his ignorance and unsuitability for the job.
There is broad public support for an Indigenous voice to the constitution, but the political will for change remains elusive.
David Moir/AAP
The final report on constitutional recognition is disappointing in many respects, but Labor’s pledge to establish a First Nations voice will give many in the community hope.
Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology and Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University