Editorial: You’re the voice, so understand it

It is time to start your job as an Australian voter – to do your research and consider how you will cast your ballot in the October 14 referendum, writes the editor.

The date has been set. Now it is time to start your job as an Australian voter – to do your research and consider how you will cast your ballot in the October 14 referendum as to whether to write into the nation’s constitution an Indigenous Voice to federal Parliament.

The top-line of each side’s cases are pretty simple. For the Yes campaign, this is about recognition and listening to advice to ensure better results for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The No side argues that the proposition is too risky because the details of how the Voice would work remain largely unknown, and that it is divisive – and permanent.

As a voter in this referendum – the first this century – you have a responsibility to invest the time in understanding and considering the detail of both those arguments so you can make an informed choice.

There have been eight successful referendums of the 44 held since federation in 1901. None have been passed without the support of both major political parties, something which is not the case this time.

To win, a referendum must be passed by a majority of both the national vote and be passed by a majority vote in a majority of states. All the polling suggests Queensland will not be one of those, with the Yes campaign conceding its efforts here are now based on getting as many votes from Queensland to count towards the national majority, instead of adding this state to the four required for success.

The Queensland-based federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers admitted as much in a speech he gave to supporters on the weekend where he said “it is going to be hard” – and “we should acknowledge that”.

But Dr Chalmers said he was still convinced people could be swayed when they take the time to actually listen and engage with the case in support of the Voice.

So what is that case? Essentially it is that governments are more likely to make better decisions and deliver practical results that help improve the outcomes for Indigenous people by being forced to listen to advice from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – and that the huge gap in things such as infant mortality, disease, life expectancy and suicide rates show the “current approach isn’t working”. The Yes campaign says enshrining the Voice in the constitution is critical so it cannot be abolished by governments, and it is safe as it will not have any veto powers over any decision-making.

Those on the other side of the debate say that another costly level of bureaucracy is not the answer to addressing those devastating social problems, and that enshrining the Voice in the constitution could lead to dangerous legal challenges. They also warn that with details lacking about what the body would look like, “if you don’t know, vote no”.

And so now it is over to you, to do your own research. But you also have another responsibility here, as an Australian – and that is to do your part in keeping this debate respectful and polite. There is no doubt that at the edges things could get ugly, considering the question being put relates to race.

No advocate Warren Mundine made this point yesterday when he said the campaign had “opened up the floor” to “horrible racial abuse” and “bigotry”. It will be up to all of us to ignore, and so not fuel, any of these inevitable toxic elements of the debate over the next six weeks.

BRONCOS TRULY ARE THE BEST

Broncos coach Kevin Walters deserves all the credit that is coming his way – not just for the brilliant football his team has played this season but for his refreshing honesty.

Speaking to the media yesterday about Brisbane’s bid for the minor premiership, Walters declared: “The minor premiership is important and it acknowledges that you are the best.

“Without being arrogant, we have been the best team. I feel over the season we have been the most consistent performer and that’s been proven by where we are on the table.”

It’s true. But it is rare for a coach to be so effusive, especially on the eve of finals when tradition dictates that clubs try to remain low key, buying into the belief that overconfidence could jinx their campaign while fuelling the motivations of their opponents.

Broncos fans have also backed Walters’s brave – and no doubt tough – decision to rest his stars for tonight’s match against at Suncorp Stadium against the Melbourne Storm, with a sellout likely.

Meanwhile in the AFL the Brisbane Lions have finished second on the ladder, and coach Chris Fagan’s team next Saturday has the chance to secure a home preliminary final in the qualifying final at the Gabba against Port Adelaide.

And lets not forget the AFLW, which starts this weekend with the Lions and Suns gunning for glory.

With unforgettable victories in the men’s and women’s Origin series this year, 2023 really is shaping up as a special year for Queensland sport.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here