Dubbo Indigenous leaders share their opinion on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament

Indigenous communities across the state’s Central West are divided over the federal government’s plans for the voice to parliment. See what they had to say.

Riverbank Frank expressing his concerns for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Pic Ryan Osland

Australia’s Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum has Indigenous people across the state’s Central West divided, as local leaders share their beliefs into what is needed for regional communities.

The Indigenous Voice to Parliament (The Voice) is a proposed advisory group containing separately elected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, identified in the Constitution of Australia.

RIVERBANK FRANK

Uncle Frank Doolan, known as Riverbank Frank, wants to be in “favour” of the voice but requires more of an understanding of what it means for him and his community.

“It’s ironic, they say they are creating a voice to listen, but they’re not really getting through what that voice will be,” Mr Doolan said.

“No Aboriginal people that I know in this city have been consulted by the government about The Voice.

Uncle Frank Doolan - Riverbank Frank as he is known. Pic Ryan Osland

“There are a lot of Indigenous people here and they need to be represented and represented by their interests, not the interest of the government or black politicians.

“We shouldn’t demonise each other or get too worked up about it but by the same token the government shouldn’t push upon us something that can’t or won’t work.

“We want something that is going to get our young people going, if you can convince me that an advisory body can do that then I am open to being convinced.”

MICHAEL MACKAY

Originally from Bourke, Mr MacKay said The Voice is “good” if the right people are selected to represent the Indigenous community.

“There are different Aboriginal people with different ideas in different towns that fight for different things,” Mr MacKay said.

Dubbo Regional councillor Pam Wells.

PAM WELLS
Dubbo Regional councillor Pam Wells is in support of The Voice and believes it is a “good step forward” for Indigenous people in Australia.

“It’s critical that there is information sharing and ongoing consultation sessions for people to have all the information they need to make an informed decision on the vote,” Ms Wells said.

“I am in support of The Voice to Parliament so far in my research, but want to be clear that in my own decision making and assist with educating others.”

Peter Gibbs, Indigenous Police Recruiting Our Way Founder. Picture: Ryan Young

PETER GIBBS

IPROWD founder and community leader Peter Gibbs is a “definite no” of The Voice and has “never seen something that would be more of a setback for Aboriginal people”.

“We have had a number of models over a long period of time and here we are - further back than we’ve ever been before,” Mr Gibbs said.

“For a group of people to come along and tell us it will all be changed overnight, this is wrong for our country.”

Mr Gibbs shared that The Voice would not represent people who have been incarcerated, escaped domestic violence or have been living in out of home care.

“How can we as a country move forward when we are being devised down the racial lines?” Mr Gibbs asked.

“We don’t need another Voice to arliament, what we need is voices in parliament and we currently have the biggest representation of Aboriginal people in parliament. That is progress.”

Phillip Biles and Riverbank Frank expressing their concerns towards the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

PHILLIP BILES

Phillip Biles said it is hard to make a decision when “we don’t know what we are voting for”.

“I don’t know if it will do us any good or not, but if they’re getting people that aren’t from here to make decisions for us, then it would be hard to represent us,” Mr Biles said.

“It’s really hard to pick someone to represent us when they wouldn’t be from this area.”

DIANE MCNABOE

Wiradjuri language teacher Diane McNaboe said “recognition is a good thing” and it is “time” for Aboriginal people to have a voice.

“We will do as lot of healing,” Ms McNaboe said.

“Up until now, no one has thought that we have a right or a say in anything in Australia.

“I think that is disgusting that we don’t have a voice in our own country, were still out of sight and out of mind.”

With her passion for climate change and looking after native land, Ms McNaboe would like to see “a genuine voice for government” and not just “tick the box for government”.

“I always worry about what is happening on our country, what is getting destroyed and what animals we are losing - I think we should have a say in that,” Ms McNaboe said.

Narromine local Lynda Edwards has been selected as a finalist for the Aboriginal Woman of the Year Award for 2023.

LYNDA EDWARDS

Narromine leader Lynda Edwards sees the voice as a “step forward” for Indigenous people.

“If we want to have significant changes then we need to be able to say, ‘yes’ in the referendum because we won’t get another chance for the next 10 years,” Ms Edwards said.

“I’m all for the voice and I think it is an important step that needs to happen going forward for this country because First Nations people are always the last people to be acknowledged.

“I think the voice is something where we will be able to speak to the government about what this country needs in terms of help and support for First Nations people.

“This is something that would be allow for everyone in the country to have a voice in their lives.”

ANNE DENNIS

NSW Aboriginal Land Councilor Anne Dennis supports The Voice and believes it is “important” to be “enshrined in the constitution”.

“It’s about working in communities to address the many issues we face,” Ms Dennis said.

“It is about being able to give support and direction to contribute and improve the community through the government.

“Every community is different, and we have to be able to work together socially and economically within the community to make a difference.”

ROBERT MACKAY

Indigenous artist Robert MacKay shares his expression on a need for a voice.

“I don’t care what it is, but we need to have something,” Mr MacKay said.

“A lot of people who are voting no, I don’t know what their reasoning is - we definitely need some kind of voice.”

Anthony Knight sharing his opinion on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

ANTHONY KNIGHT

Anthony Knight is weary of whether or not The Voice will focus on people who put themselves first.

“I hope they speak on behalf of all of us and not just themselves,” Mr Knight said.

“A lot of people have different opinions about it.

“I hope there is a voice for us, especially in remote communities.”

KRISTINE STEVENS

Kristine Stevens is supporting The Voice knowing a lot of people in the Indigenous community are against the campaign.

“I think it is a step in the right direction, so I am supporting it,” Ms Stevens said.

“You wouldn’t knock something that is a good thing back regardless of how overdue the move is.

Kristine Stevens sharing her opinion on the voice.

“We have to have truth telling when we talk about Australian history.

“Different people in the Aboriginal community have had different life experiences and if you have had a lifetime of the government making choices that impact your life then you are going to be distrustful of anything that has to do with the government.”