Can a Voice to Parliament really make a difference to the lives of Indigenous people? Will it clog up the courts with legal challenges? And why are some Aboriginal people intending to vote no?
These were some of the big questions that a panel of experts assembled by the University of Notre Dame Australia attempted to answer last Thursday night in front of a considerable crowd of about 160 community members.
Moderated by former ABC radio presenter Geoff Hutchinson, the panel featured Notre Dame political expert Professor Martin Drum, former Judge and Fremantle Shipping News editor Michael Barker, as well as Indigenous academics and community members Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker and Associate Professor Stephen Kinnane.
Professor Drum said the event was not a debate between the “Yes” and “No” camps, but rather a “deep dive” discussion aimed at trying to satisfy the community’s thirst for information about the proposed change to Australia’s constitution.
“It was very pleasing to see so many people in attendance who were eager to learn more about the design, role and potential effectiveness of the Voice, to help them make an informed decision when it comes time to vote at the referendum later this year,” he said.
“It was also very pleasing to have two leading Indigenous academics with us on the panel who were able to provide their own personal perspectives about how a Voice would potentially impact on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians.
“Additionally, I would like to thank Geoff Hutchinson for moderating the event, as well as the Hon. Michael Barker for providing us with the benefit of his extensive legal wisdom in relation to the potential legal ramifications of a Voice.”
Guests at the event included Professor Fiona Stanley, Fremantle Chamber of Commerce CEO Chrissie Maus, as well as many Notre Dame staff and students.
A video of the full panel discussion can be viewed here.
