Indigenous Voice to Parliament

This post is a collection of letters and opinion pieces that I have written over past 6 months. Our democracy relies on informed voters. I do not believe that informed Australians will vote against recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution. My hope is for a resounding…

At its heart, the proposal to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to parliament in our constitution is about a desire to improve the social, health and economic outcomes of Indigenous Australians. The Australian government has a long history of making laws, policies and decisions that directly impact the lives of Indigenous…

If you would like to read Zoe McKenzies' speech in parliament, please click this link Hansard 22 May 2023

At its heart, the proposal to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to parliament in our Constitution is about a desire to improve the social, health and economic outcomes of Indigenous Australians. The Australian government has a long history of making laws, policies and decisions that directly impact the lives of Indigenous…

On a Sunday later this year, Australia may wake up to the news that we have narrowly said No to constitutional reform. Australia will have rejected the Uluru Statement of the Heart. Is this the Australia we want? The Uluru Statement of the Heart is a powerful call for Voice…

Not long after six am on Monday the third of April news began to flow south from Yolngu heartland. The most significant Aboriginal leader of our generation had passed. His legacy was and will continue to be profound. His passing has weighty implications for our nation and the Gumatj clan…

Last month, the Djab Wurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjamara Senator Lidia Thorpe, cut ties with the Greens. In moving to the crossbench, she claimed it was her intention to represent the “black sovereign” movement in the Parliament – a movement that had strong grassroots in Australia, “full of staunch and committed…

In the lead up to the 2007 election, prime minister John Howard announced that if he was re-elected, he would bring forward a referendum on constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians within 18 months. The opposition leader, Kevin Rudd, responded in kind. In October 2007, Yolngu leader Galarrwuy Yunupingu graciously accepted…

At its heart, the proposal to enshrine in the Constitution an Indigenous Voice to parliament is about a desire to improve Indigenous outcomes. So it is concerning to hear David Littleproud, the leader of the Nationals, say that “the Voice will not advance the primary aim of Closing the Gap and…