The Voice

Andrew Willcox

Federal Member For Dawson

How do you think The Voice could benefit the country?

This is a really difficult question to answer because we know nothing about it yet. What would have been much fairer is if The Voice was legislated and all the details were provided, then Australians could make an informed decision as to whether they wanted it enshrined in our constitution.

What do you see as the negatives involved with implementing The Voice?

Australians are being asked to make a major change to the Australian constitution with little to no detail, and I believe The Voice will be legally risky and permanent.

I am fundamentally opposed to dividing Australia on the basis of race. I believe all Australians are equal and should be treated as such.

On a local level, how do you envision The Voice will impact the community?

I’m concerned, I’m already seeing this issue dividing my community.

I think that there will be very little advantages to my local constituents as this is a Canberra based Voice, and I believe the last thing we need is another layer of bureaucracy.

If you don’t agree with The Voice, what do you think could be a better solution?

I believe we should be coming up with solutions and programs for all our disadvantaged and marginalised Australians, and this should not be based on race, gender, or religion. Or anything else for that matter, our Australian anthem states we are one and free.

Do you think the current system is working? How have you seen it develop and evolve over the years?

I don’t believe the current system is working and that’s because its being led by Bureaucrats based in big cities. The money is being chewed up before it even gets to the people in rural and regional areas

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Eddie Smallwood

Bindal Traditional Owner

What are your thoughts on The Voice?

I support The Voice because it is the only advisory group to the government, and it will look at important issues like life expectancy, incarceration, housing, employment, and education. The government have been trying to tell us how to run our lives, we want our people to have the say on how to run our lives, we can do it better, we know what we need.

If you want to know about Indigenous people and listen, then you’ve got to go and talk to them.

How do you think The Voice will improve on what’s already happening?

Most of the Indigenous people who are politicians have got mainstream jobs and are well-off – we need our own Indigenous voice for the whole community of Australia and if we use politicians then they are only advisory to their own party.

It’s like the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission that John Howard got rid of in 2005 – we want something permanent that can’t be replaced by anything, any politicians, or any new government.

Do you think The Voice promotes division?

How is it going to create division when it is already happening? Once again, the non-indigenous people are going to get the say on what happens for us. I’d rather see this as just an Indigenous vote.

All the local Indigenous people that I know are voting yes, they know the struggle of their parents and grandparents, there aren’t many opportunities for Indigenous people.

There are a lot of non-indigenous people struggling too, it’s about creating a better lifestyle of living for everyone. I want to encourage the community to vote yes and if they have any queries, talk to an indigenous person.

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On Saturday, October 14 2023, Australians will vote on a single question to change the Constitution.

The question will be about adding words into the Constitution about an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Find out where to vote:

• St Colman’s Catholic School, 96 Eleventh Ave, Home Hill

• Burdekin Sports Club Hall, 142 Wickham St, Ayr

• Ayr East State School, 43-73 Ross St, Ayr

• Giru Branch QCWA Hall, 9 Carey St, Giru

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