Dismal picture of Indigenous life expectancy, incarceration pushed as reasons for yes vote

Australians will be asked this year to change the constitution to include an Indigenous Voice to federal parliament. Geelong leaders have shared why they support the move.

Professor Mark Rose

It’s time to listen.

That’s the message from Indigenous community leaders pushing the yes case for The Voice referendum.

Community leaders gathered at a forum at Waurn Ponds on Monday to discuss The Voice, a planned advisory body to federal parliament on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, that is due to go to a referendum this year.

Gunditjmara man Mark Rose, who spoke at the forum, said a voice to parliament would deliver tangible outcomes for Indigenous people.

“Where there is more listening and doing, that’s when success happens; that’s why it’s important,” Professor Rose, Deakin University’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Indigenous strategy and innovation, said.

“The question here is quite simple; Do we want to listen to Aboriginal people?”

Mr Rose said the status quo wasn’t working.

“Are you going to vote for the status quo? Which is a really dismal picture about life expectancy and incarceration.

“If we keep doing things the same way and expect change; that’s the definition of insanity. Listen to us, work with us and success will be there.”

Palawa women May Owen, Barwon chair of the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI), which advises on Aboriginal education, said the organisation was an example of how The Voice could advocate for change on a broader scale.

“We come together four times each year to discuss the issues in each of our communities (and then advocate for change).”

Wadawurrung woman Corrina Eccles, who spoke at the forum, said: “This is well overdue. Addressing and being accountable through truth telling is vital for the wrongs of the past and the challenges we still continue to face today.”

Corrina Eccles. Picture: Alison Wynd

Corangamite MP Libby Coker said The Voice was important for the nation to move forward.
“If we’re going to actually improve the lives of our First Nations people we need to do more. We need to listen to them,” Ms Coker said.

“The Voice is actually going to be a way of doing that. It’s not a veto to any legislation, it is not a third chamber of parliament.”

Libby Coker. Picture: Alan Barber

Geelong based Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said: “ Like the rest of the nation, I want to see dramatically improved outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

“It is difficult to understand how Labor can ask Australians to change the constitution when it refuses to explain what this means. For instance, As Shadow Minister for Education, I have heard nothing about how the Voice will improve school attendance and completion rates in Indigenous communities.”

Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson. Source: Supplied.

Corio MP Richard Marles said: “This is a moment that we want to see transcend partisanship in this country. It is a really important step forward in terms of making right the relationship between Australia and our First Nations people, which is one of the foundational questions of our country.”

A majority of Australians and a majority of states will have to vote in favour of The Voice for it to be included in the constitution.

Originally published as Dismal picture of Indigenous life expectancy, incarceration pushed as reasons for yes vote