Uncle George James and Rose Malone share thoughts on the Voice
Two Indigenous Elders have explained why one will vote no and one will vote yes on the Voice to parliament.
Rockhampton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rockhampton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
They are both from the same mob and both well-respected and community-minded locals within the Rockhampton region, but two Darumbal Elders are poles apart when it comes to their opinions about the Voice.
Yet, Aunty Rose Malone’s decision to vote ‘yes’ and Uncle George James’s decision to vote ‘no’ are motivated by what they believe is best for the community.
According to the 2021 census data, 7102 people, or 8.7 percent of Rockhampton’s population, identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The Darumbal people are the traditional custodians of the Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast area and the Woppaburra people are the traditional custodians of the Keppel islands.
Aunty Rose, the CEO of Darumbal Youth Services, said she personally believed it was time for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have a say about the future, for both young and old.
“This is very personal to me, I would love to see that it gets through. Whether it does or not, that’s something we’ll have to deal with,” she said.
“I know there’s a lot of concern about the after, if it does come through, what it’s going to look like.
“I’m an optimist, I believe we can right any wrongs, but the important thing is that we get it through.
“I’ve been around for a long time, I really think we need a stronger voice.
“It’s not about trying to steal people’s land or anything like that. We’re a lot more educated and evolved from those times.”
However, Uncle George is concerned the Voice will not see their perspectives and concerns shared at all.
Whereas, right now, he says they already people to go to about issues, and to help close the gap.
“As far as I’m concerned we do have a voice in parliament; we have our state politicians, we have our federal politicians, and if we need anything we can always go to those people and if they don’t come up with the goods that we need, we just don’t vote for them,” he said.
“I’m very happy with the way the system is here at the moment, I don’t have any concerns… with this referendum, if it goes through, I believe there’s going to be a little group of people in Canberra that’s advising the Prime Minister about what the rest of us should be doing and that’s a big ‘no, no’ to all our communities, because everybody has their little communities, everybody has their own ideas.”
Uncle George believes Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is using the Voice as a vehicle to garner votes at the next election.
Part of Darumbal People Aboriginal Corporation, Uncle George said he personally believes there are bigger issues in Australia that the Federal Government should be spending money on, such as homelessness, health and unemployment.
“I’m very confused with it. I don’t really understand it. I’ve been to some forums and the more forums I go to, to listen about it, the worse you get,” the rail worker of 40 years said.
While Uncle George said he had never been racially abused, he believes racism can never be entirely stamped out.
He feels his perspectives have been shaped by his hard-working parents - his father having been a ringer, mine and rail worker, and his mother a station mistress - who saved up to buy properties and make sure he had three meals a day.
“When the voting was allowed (for Aboriginal people)... I think there was no happier person than my dad,” Uncle George said.
“He made sure we voted.”
Uncle George echoed his father’s beliefs that everyone should be allowed to have a view, no matter what it might be.
The last referendum relating specifically to Indigenous people was in 1967, when Prime Minister Harold Holt’s government asked whether the constitution should be changed to omit certain words relating to Aboriginal people in state so they would be counted in the census.
The 1967 referendum had majority support in all six states.
WHEN IS THE VOTE?
The decision on the Voice to parliament lays in the hands of Australians, with pre-polling already underway in the lead up to voting day on October 14.
DO I HAVE TO VOTE?
Just like any federal, state or local government election, voting in a referendum is compulsory for anyone on the election roll.
A referendum is a public vote, which is legally required to make a change to Australia’s constitution.
WHERE CAN I VOTE?
Early polling booths opened on October 3 at the James Lawrence Pavilion at the Rockhampton Showgrounds or the Old Functional 45 Training Building on Arthur St in Yeppoon.
A number of polling booths will also be open at local schools across the region.
To find your nearest polling booth or for more information on the referendum, visit the Australian Electoral Commission website.