An Aussie politician declared her Voice vote at my kids' school event

"And I don't see an issue with it," writes Victorian mum, Shona.

It was my children’s school 150th year celebrations a few weeks ago and to mark the milestone there was an abundance of fanfare, all kicked off with a school assembly.

Due to the day’s significance, multiple VIP guests were invited and attended, including the Federal MP for the school’s electorate.

The MP declared her Yes vote for the Voice

The MP was one of the first speakers and directly followed Indigenous members of the school community: both students and parents who performed the Welcome to Country and musical performance.  

Along with emphasising the importance of the anniversary of the school and celebrating it, she also declared her yes vote for the upcoming referendum or the Voice.

When she announced this, at first, I was surprised that she had done this here and also a bit nervous.

I reacted this way because I know the Voice has become very divisive, so I wasn’t sure how her comment would sit. I also did this because at the time, I saw the event as being about 150 years of the school and I didn’t want the focus to be on anything else but that.

Image: iStock

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"Her declaration created an important conversation"

However, later that day when I reflected on it all, I realised that the referendum and the question at the heart of it, was related to this 150-year anniversary and that I was glad that she had stated her position on it in front of the thousand-plus audience.

The audience was made up of both children and adults, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and non-Indigenous Australians, those who can vote and those who one day will; meaning all who were there, were in some way related to the school community and also the future of Australia, so having something as important as the Voice mentioned was significant and necessary.

It also had a flow-on effect. By the MP raising the Voice it unprecedently created an important discourse between parents, educators and students, one that would continue for days.

My daughters told me that once they were back in their classrooms later that day, many children asked their teachers what the Voice meant and why the MP had spoken about it. They then asked more questions and had discussions around not only this issue but referendums and democracy in general too.

"Open discourse about the Voice is part of democracy"

Both of my daughters then continued the conversation at home, wanting to know more and for me, this healthy questioning and thirst for learning, sparked by two sentences the MP spoke about the Voice, was important and something that just can't be underestimated.

While there are a host of criticisms around the Voice and the referendum, from its wording, details, cost, rights and ramifications; the fact is, in Australia, we are lucky enough to be in a position where this can be debated and where we can have our vote without fear of repercussions.

And this is another fact and take away my children and those who were in attendance that day, could also see first-hand.

Regardless of their age and whether they can vote now or not, understanding and being an active role in solving the issues that our society faces, is important. It not only helps children have a deeper understanding of Australia’s society and culture, which itself has a whole host of benefits including empathy, but it will also help them as adults, to be active in Australia’s democracy by being empowered voters.

It was also such a valuable learning experience because, regardless of your position on the Vote, a referendum is an important event in Australia’s society, so taking this as an opportunity for our children to learn about what a referendum is first-hand and hearing a Federal MP on the issue are such valuable opportunities to learn from.

Originally published as An Aussie politician declared her Voice vote at my kids' school event