It feels like both parties are rehearsing for a federal election | Sam Shahin

I’m confused. Can anyone actually tell me what these options will achieve in real life, asks Sam Shahin.

The referendum has dominated headlines recently.

I am confused, so figured many will be in the same boat.

This will be the 45th referendum in our nation’s history and the first in 23 years. Of the 44 referenda held since 1906, Australia has voted ‘Yes’ on 13 occasions, but only 8 have been ‘carried’ because of the ‘double majority’ required for constitutional change to be made. Put simply, the total national vote has to be greater than 50% AND a majority of voters in a majority of states (four or more of the six states) must also vote Yes, a good rule intended to avoid a situation where a majority of voters say Yes but those majorities were concentrated in the larger states.

The case for the Voice is understandable.

At the heart of my confusion is that the proponents have not made the case so compelling yet to gain favour, while at the same time the adversaries have resorted to typical negative tactics rather than making the case for a better alternative.

Across the globe, political history is littered with examples of ‘opposers’ that ‘win’ by simply highlighting, or creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear around the consequences of change. The examples are many; when we are faced with uncertainty, we often opt to stay with the status quo; a case of the ‘devil you know’.

The stakes are high. We as a nation are set to spend well in excess of $200 million to conduct this referendum

I am in the undecided camp.

This is what I’d like to hear from each side to make up my mind.

For the promoters of a Yes vote:

• Convince me that a Yes vote will lead to a better life for indigenous people. Simple.

Show me how it will inspire indigenous youth

• Tell me that the referendum will be accompanied with a commitment to actively encourage and develop role models and mentorship programs to an indigenous generation that appears thin on role models, much the same as we see in the broader community.

• Provide real examples of how similar constitutional commitments elsewhere around the world have been beneficial to the lives of first peoples

• Explain clearly how this initiative is so superior to the countless initiatives of the last 6 decades to justify the extent it’s being sought. I’d much prefer someone forensically examine why the vast majority of previous initiatives have not been able to substantially move the dial on indigenous affairs

• Clearly state that the referendum will be tied to measurable outcomes, irrespective what they may be. I guarantee this will capture the attention of many. Outcomes such as infant mortality rates, lifespan, drug and alcohol presentations, prevalence of diabetes, immunisation rates, school leaver rates, incidence of domestic violence are outcomes that quickly come to mind, but there will be many more.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

In other words, show me proof rather than opinion. Remember that whatever can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence

• Connect the referendum to a commitment to providing the next generation of indigenous youth with hope. How do you intend to ingrain a culture of hope, of success, and an aspirational society?

• Articulate precisely what the ultimate dream consequent a Yes vote is; what’s the holy grail that will result from my Yes vote?

• What do you intend to do on the morning of October 15th? Articulate the follow through agenda subsequent a Yes vote. What’s the next small step?!

• Articulate to me how a Voice to Parliament is preferable to a Voice in parliament. To my simple mind, the two houses of parliament is where all the grand decisions of our nation reside, but you will have my attention if the former is a pathway to the latter.

• And finally, let me listen to the opinions of as many of the ordinary indigenous voices as possible as to why they feel this referendum is important to their lives, rather than just why WE think it is.

For the promoters of a No vote:

• I beg you not to politicise the referendum. I get the clear impression that the parties are using this as a dress rehearsal for the next federal election. I don’t see it that way. You are distracting us undecided folk from the real proposition being considered.

• Articulate the counterargument. If you cannot articulate why a Yes vote is detrimental to the lives of indigenous people, then you have the responsibility to at least outline for me how a No vote will make life at least no worse off for them.

• Own an agenda to progress the livelihoods of indigenous people subsequent to a No vote. In other words, if you – as proponents of a No vote win – what’s your alternative agenda? How do you intend to inspire, provide hope, guide, lead and ensure progress to indigenous people?

• Set the political agenda aside. I do appreciate how difficult that may be; you will gain more credibility by providing an alternative rather than just opposing and scare mongering, no matter how tempting and how proven this approach is to you!

• Remove ambiguity for the opposition to the vote. Tell me what conditions will change your mind. Is it possible to alter the outcome of the referendum by seeking commitments now from the proponents of a Yes vote should they succeed? Wouldn’t that be something!

• Let me listen to the opinions of indigenous voices to convince me as to why a No vote is better for them. I would love most to listen to a forum of indigenous people debating the issues important to them, for and against the referendum.

• Articulate the opposition to the proposal from a broader community spectrum

• Establish a schedule of public debates across the nation involving all community groups. I am less interested in the views of politicians in this regard. What do farmers think? Teachers? Law enforcement leaders? Frontline health personnel?

Let us not lose sight as to why we have a referendum.

We all want to see improvement to the wellbeing and lives of indigenous peoples. If this remains true then let me listen to a respectful, mature, honest and robust national conversation.

So far, the proponents have not put the detailed case forward and the adversaries have not put up a credible alternative that improves the status quo.

There’s still time however.

Sam Shahin is managing director of The Shell V Power Motorsport Park at The Bend. The views are his own and do not reflect the views of others, or his business.

Originally published as It feels like both parties are rehearsing for a federal election | Sam Shahin