Australians will be asked: “A Proposed Law: to alter the constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”
If a majority of Australians vote in favour of the Voice, the Constitution would be amended as follows:
1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions powers and procedures.
Date: 11 April 2023 at 8:18:39 am ACST
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Aboriginal Peoples News Apr 11
Aboriginal Peoples News Apr 11
Social Issues
‘It is about forming a community’: NRL star gets behind program helping Indigenous kids through school
Angus Crichton saw first hand how difficult the private school system can be for kids moving from regional areas — now the Roosters star is doing something about it.
Allirra is about to become the first Aboriginal woman to run all six major world marathons
Allirra Jennings couldn’t move more than 50 metres when she took up running, but inspired by a family tragedy, she’s now making world history.
How disappearance of young Aboriginal woman could help prove existence of mystery settlement
Don Wininba Ganambarr’s grandmother vanished from a remote beach, only to reappear in mysterious circumstances decades later. She could be key to solving the mystery of Australia’s little-known overseas settlement.
‘When will it end’: Crows star Izak Rankine responds to online racism
The Adelaide Football Club contacts the AFL’s Integrity Department over a racist remark sent to Izak Rankine on social media.
Land Rights
Native title determination a bittersweet victory for Anangu people of Central Australia
A native title determination recognising commercial rights for the first time in Central Australia has been settled seven years after the claims process got underway.
Water serpent sees off billionaire family’s bid to corral flow of sacred river
Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s weir project has been blocked after a tribunal found it risked killing or harming a water serpent spirit revered by traditional owners, or causing it to become angry.
Elder ‘heartbroken’ after treasured scar trees damaged by fire
A community in north-east Victoria has been left reeling after two culturally significant trees were burnt last week.
‘Not the solution’: MP fears native title peace plan won’t work [$]
Signs warning residents and tourists away from native title land near a popular beach are being considered to help resolve a fiery dispute that has divided a small Queensland community.
Let’s welcome a country with fewer welcomes [$]
Tim Blair
Still not sure about how to vote in the Voice referendum? Tim Blair believes he has a consideration that will help you make up your mind.
Recognition
Dutton accused of ‘Judas betrayal’ by Indigenous leader over Voice opposition
Indigenous leader Noel Pearson likens the Liberal leader Peter Dutton to “an undertaker preparing the grave to bury Uluru”, after the federal Liberal Party rejects the proposed Voice to Parliament.
Ken Wyatt quits Liberal Party over stance on Indigenous Voice to Parliament, MPs respond
Ken Wyatt has quit the Liberal Party after its Federal politicians resolved to campaign against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Former Liberal premier offers ‘frank’ advice on Voice opposition
Former Liberal premier Peter Gutwein was known for being frank and this week warned his former federal colleagues opposing the Voice that they risk “increasing irrelevance”.
Indigenous communities say Peter Dutton is taking their Voice comments out of context
As the Liberal Party announced its position on a Voice to Parliament this week, First Nations communities across remote Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory feel their voices have been taken out of context.
Marcia Langton accuses Peter Dutton of ‘lying’ over Voice to Parliament
A senior member of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament Working Group has slammed the Liberal Party’s decision to oppose a referendum on the Voice as “deceitful”.
If yes campaign for Indigenous voice loses ‘racists will feel emboldened’, Marcia Langton says
Working group member shares Liberal Bridget Archer’s concern Coalition’s no campaign in danger of running ‘adjacent to racist views’
What is Dutton up to? He’s making many Liberals queasy
Mr Dutton’s decision on Wednesday to actively front a campaign against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament has baffled and outraged dyed-in-the-wool Liberals outside the parliamentary party.
Peter Dutton and the voice: what the Liberal party has got wrong about Indigenous recognition
We unpack and factcheck some of the key reasons the opposition leader has given for saying no to the voice
‘It’s not my role to go out there’: The Liberal MPs who won’t campaign on Voice referendum
Warren Entsch, representing the Far North Queensland seat of Leichhardt, says it’s not up to him to tell Australians which way to vote in the referendum.
‘Divisive’: Indigenous senator lashes the ABC
The ABC has hit back after being accused by Indigenous senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price of stoking division on the Voice to Parliament.
At least three senior Liberals pushed back against Indigenous voice opposition in shadow cabinet meeting
Simon Birmingham, Marise Payne and Paul Fletcher spoke out against plan as Julian Leeser proposed allowing MPs a free say
Pesutto declines to back Dutton’s Voice rejection
The Victorian Liberal leader said he was keeping an “open mind” on supporting the referendum, with the issue expected to be debated in the Coalition party room next month.
Lib MPs blindsided by Dutton’s Voice announcement [$]
Liberal MPs say they left this week’s party room vote on the Voice believing they had agreed to back a legislated national body — because a briefing note told them that was the party’s position.
‘In the darkness’: Ngunnawal elder’s message for Dutton on Voice
Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet Sheridan has urged Liberal MPs to support the Voice to Parliament proposal in the forthcoming referendum against the wishes of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton as Liberal divisions over the issue deepen.
Dutton said no to the Voice. Here’s long list of allies who say yes
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is determined to play wrecking ball on Indigenous constitutional recognition by opposing the Voice to parliament, a stance that will no doubt go down a lot better with Sky News than the few remaining moderates in his party room.
‘Empowered in the Australian way’: Voice makes waves in multicultural Australia
When Sawathey Ek learnt about the Indigenous Voice to parliament, he saw the shape of something he had often struggled to explain to others in Sydney’s Cambodian diaspora. A possibility pulled into view.
PM expects government’s top lawyer to come out in support of Voice proposal
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insists the Solicitor-General is supportive of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal, while rejecting ongoing demands for his advice to cabinet to be made public.
Albanese says yes campaign ‘factored in’ Dutton’s opposition to Indigenous voice to parliament
Prime minister confirms AFL, NRL and cricket stars are lined up for ad blitz, and he expects businesses and faith groups to add support
‘Grassroots’ anti-Voice group boasts $500k in donations after financier digs deep
A conservative lobby group behind the main “no” campaign against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament has boasted it’s raised $500,000 for its cause, after a wealthy backer matched supporters’ donations.
Deputy leader, senior Liberals coy on campaign [$]
Several frontbenchers are yet to reveal their stance after Peter Dutton vowed to actively work against the government’s model.
‘Damning us to hell’: Indigenous academic tells Q+A what vote against Voice would mean to her
As one Q+A panellist reveals what he sees as Donald Trump’s saving grace, an Indigenous academic and the leader of the Young Liberals find some common ground on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Voice threatens to muzzle families: Palmer [$]
Billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer is considering entering the referendum campaign for the No case against an Indigenous voice to parliament.
‘Sneaky’: MPs clash over the Voice
Ex-Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has accused Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek of being “sneaky” as the two MPs clashed over the Voice to parliament.
‘LISTEN TO US’: Indigenous elders’ message to Government [$]
First Nations female leaders Merle Carter and Jean O’Reeri say it’s the many voices in local communities governments should be listening to.
Mundine backs Liberals’ ‘practical’ voice proposal [$]
One of the leaders of the campaign against a national Indigenous voice has backed the Liberals’ policy to establish local and regional bodies.
Dutton’s voice claims explained: politics with Amy Remeikis – video
Under Peter Dutton, the Liberals have been running a soft no campaign since the election, so the announcement of the official no wasn’t a huge surprise. Guardian Australia political reporter Amy Remeikis factchecks some of the muddying of the waters the Liberal party has created while revealing its no position and some of the political plays scattered throughout the announcement
“Recognition is not a Labor thing. It’s not a Liberal thing… It’s an Australian thing.” – podcast
One of the original architects and a long-time campaigner for Indigenous Constitutional recognition, Noel Pearson speaks to SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson on the Liberal Party’s opposition to the Voice to Parliament referendum.
Indigenous superstars enlisted for PM’s Voice campaign – podcast
Indigenous superstars are set to be recruited by the Prime Minister to sell Australians on a Yes vote for a Voice to parliament.
Thomas Mayo on why Peter Dutton is wrong about the voice – Full Story podcast
Jane Lee talks to Thomas Mayo, a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal Erubamle Torres Strait Islander author and director of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition, on why he thinks Dutton is wrong about the voice.
Michelle Grattan
Peter Dutton’s success in holding the Liberal show together has been strictly limited. It has come at the cost of deepening the division in the country
Rachel Withers
It’s time to call Peter Dutton out for the soulless wrecker that he is
Camouflaging a ‘resounding no’ in yeses, Peter Dutton puts his Liberal leadership on the line
Brett Worthington
Peter Dutton, having spent months playing whack-a-mole with Labor, has staked his leadership on saying no to the Voice. A look at his party room tells you how he landed where he did.
The most striking thing about the Liberals’ Voice policy is how similar it is to Labor’s
Anne Twomey
The Voice referendum campaign is likely to be rancorous, but the similarities between the major parties’ policies should negate some of the arguments
Dean Parkin
This referendum is for the people to decide, not politicians
The Voice will crack the Liberal Party. Wyatt’s exit proves it
David Crowe
The smallest fracture in the most polished marble can easily turn into a gaping crack. All it takes is pressure.
‘The Canberra Voice’: Why on earth is Dutton arguing against his party’s own policy?
Waleed Aly
Peter Dutton is wrong to rail against the ‘Canberra Voice’ when he could have made legitimate criticisms of Albanese’s proposal.
Villains and victims have been cast in the Voice debate [$]
Vikki Campion
If you dare suggest you do not support a Voice to parliament you have already been cast as the villain of the story, regardless of your reasons.
Why the Libs are really opposing the Voice [$]
Alexander Downer
The Liberals don’t deserve to win the confidence of the public if they’re not sure of themselves.
Second sorry mistake means Coalition’s ‘Dr No’ is doomed [$]
Samantha Maiden
Peter Dutton has already confessed to one historic error in his career. He can’t afford for the Voice to be another.
Yays, nays and in-betweens: reactions to Dutton’s No on a Voice to Parliament [$]
Charlie Lewis
Just how has the Coalition’s call to oppose the government’s model for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament gone down?
Civil voice debate not beyond us [$]
Chris Kenny
The Liberal Party’s calculation is disappointing but not surprising. Labor’s advocacy and processes have been appalling. Hopefully voters will rise above the crassness of the political class.
Could Opposition’s ‘no’ bring ‘yes’ for the Voice? [$]
James Campbell
Having finally revealed the federal Liberal MPs will oppose the Voice, how is Peter Dutton going to make sure they prevail
Dutton’s Voice call proves Liberals are still up for the fight
Peta Credlin
Peter Dutton’s ‘no’ to the Voice is the best way for the Liberal Party to galvanise its supporters to fight for what matters.
The Voice is not revolutionary or threatening. Only its opponents say it is
Ben Saul
The sheer modesty of the Voice suggests just how antiquated the Coalition’s position is on Indigenous rights. It also suggests how far there is to travel towards full reconciliation.
Langton embodies our new politics of division [$]
Andrew Bolt
Australians will soon vote on Marcia Langton’s Voice, so her politics of division can live for centuries to come — a cancer on our liberal democracy and our colour-blind justice.
Sana Nakata
The Liberal Party’s decision to formally oppose the federal government’s model for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament amounts to a resounding “no” position – but perhaps not in the way party leader Peter Dutton thinks.
Libs ditch proud history of Indigenous advocacy [$]
George Williams
The voice is embedded in the aspirations of Indigenous people, and has attracted support across civil society. It is the antithesis of Dutton’s ‘Canberra voice’
Karen Middleton
Following the loss in Aston, some Coalition MPs believe Peter Dutton’s announcement on the Voice was a distraction from the party’s real issues.
Voice will create co-government, cause policy chaos [$]
Janet Albrechtsen
Dear voters, please read this letter to appreciate what ‘Yes’ will mean.
Dutton’s reverse doublespeak will land him on wrong side of history [$]
Crispin Hull
Has Peter Dutton doomed the referendum, or has he doomed himself?
Let’s disagree on the Voice without disastrous divisions [$]
Alexander Downer
Permanent debate is the lifeblood of democracies. But political leaders also have a responsibility to avoid toxic language that leaves politics polarised.
There is no political profit for Dutton in opposing the Voice [$]
Craig Emerson
The Liberal leader’s aim seems to be to keep his parliamentary party together – even at the risk of the wider party’s appeal.
Denied a Voice: Why I’m not surprised [$]
Douglas Smith
Politicians do not speak for us, we need our own Voice.
Forget the haters, Dutton right to oppose voice [$]
Greg Sheridan
There are undemocratic elements in the way our public culture operates today. When a cause is declared essential by the woke orthodoxy, institutions run after it almost mindlessly.
First Nations people have made a plea for ‘truth-telling’. By reckoning with its past, Australia can finally help improve our future
Julia Hurst and Sarah Maddison
Australia has never been good at listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Voice exposes Dutton’s desperation [$]
Paul Bongiorno
By midweek it was obvious Peter Dutton wasn’t looking for a way to reconnect with the broader electorate, which is clearly what is needed. On the very morning Newspoll published a consolidated survey over three months of majority voter support across a majority of states for a constitutional Voice to Parliament, the Liberals spurned its findings.
Memorial’s big calls on Frontier Wars [$]
Canberra Times editorial
It seems nobody now disputes that the Frontier Wars should have their place of prominence at the Australian War Memorial.
Plastic spiders [$]
Saturday Paper editorial
Peter Dutton knew before he called his colleagues to Canberra that he would oppose the Voice. The party room meeting was a stunt, like almost everything else in his career.
Culture
Nura Diya animals and plants help highlight connection to country at Taronga Zoo
Native animals will soon help people better understand the connection between Indigenous people and their country.
Artist claims long story of interference [$]
Indigenous artists say the practice of interference in Indigenous art began when the general manager of the APY Arts Centre Collective was working at a smaller studio.
Brush with the lore: NGA’s urgent art probe [$]
The National Gallery of Australia will launch an urgent investigation into whether white assistants painted Indigenous artworks set to lead its winter showcase.
Search narrows for relatives of Aboriginal migrants in Indonesia
Fresh evidence has emerged about the overseas colony of Indigenous Australians in Indonesia in the 19th century.
How a bush food experiment is helping grow ‘a healthy life’ for future generations
When Aunty Cherry’s ancestral lands on Mbabaram country were returned through native title, she saw an opportunity to grow a brighter future.
Groundbreaking Indigenous radio station celebrates significant milestone – video
The first Indigenous radio station to launch in an Australian capital city has celebrated its 30th anniversary. Triple A, which broadcasts in Meanjin (Brisbane), has been a powerful catalyst for change, giving a voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Stan Grant
As Australia prepares to vote in a referendum that could grant First Nations people a Voice in our own country, I am confronted with the suffering of my people.
‘Bad art’ brushes off Indigenous culture of authenticity [$]
Henry Ergas
If the government underwrites bad art so long as it looks Indigenous, there will be incentives for unscrupulous operators to ensure it is produced, not matter how improperly
Aboriginal art collectors should know exactly what they are getting [$]
Australian editorial
In an age when respect, integrity and authenticity are at the centre of community expectations, uncomfortable issues have been raised by serious allegations of what is happening in the studios of the APY Art Centre Collective in South Australia.
‘Background painting’ no excuse for Indigenous art fixing [$]
Christopher Allen
The evidence collected by The Australian raises serious questions about the artwork coming out of the APY Lands
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