Uluru Statement revelations a telling sign for the Voice, writes Douglas Smith

The Voice to parliament is supposed to work with a ground-up approach – but already entire communities are being ignored, writes Douglas Smith.

Revelations that Traditional Owners from Uluru who say they were “surprised” and “unhappy” with their names signed on the Uluru Statement from the Heart changes a lot.

It raises questions about whose idea it was to hold such a historic gathering at Uluru in the first place, which is sacred land belonging to Anangu, and if Anangu were even fully aware of what they were signing.

I have heard from both sides of senior Anangu, from Sammy Wilson to Murray George. On one hand, Mr George said he does not consent to a Voice, and on the other, Mr Wilson says he does.

I asked Mr Wilson if he signed the canvas (Uluru Statement from the Heart) and he said that he did. He does want a Voice in parliament. He does want his people’s voices heard at the highest level of government.

Elders from Central Australia. Murray George was there at the signing of the Uluru Statement From the Heart. Front – left to right … Murray George, Clem Toby, Owen Burton, Rear – Trevor Adamson. Picture – Supplied

But his stance on the Voice should not diminish the voices and opinions of those such as elder Murray George and other Traditional Owners of that country.

A westernised (NT/SA) border does not change the fact that both Mr Wilson and Mr George are connected to the same country.

Just because the National Constitutional Convention was held at Uluru in 2017, does not mean that one leader from there should have more of a say than another. It could have been held in Sydney, Adelaide or anywhere else in Australia. It is still for the purpose of enshrining an Indigenous advisory-body in the constitution.

I understand what they are saying. All I see now is division in this country and it comes from all sides, but I have to give the credit of that to the so-called ‘No’ campaign led by Jacinta Price and Warren Mundine for their efforts, who have used scaremongering tactics and lies as a way of swaying people.

To me and to thousands of First Nations people across the country, Jacinta Price and Warren Mundine are not the true ‘No’ campaigners.

The real ones are the ones who live in community and are senior, or those who march on the streets and organise at the grassroots level.

I have never given my stance on the Voice. I am not saying that I support the reform or that I reject it, but if the architects of the Uluru Statement are unable to gain the appropriate consent from the Traditional Owners of the land on which they held such a large gathering, then my faith in the Voice’s ability to do what it is intended to do has been lost.

You can’t just use Uluru as a place to hold this gathering because of its significance and location in Australia and then expect all Anangu to consent to the statement.

Without the details and from only what I have interpreted about the Voice so far, it is supposed to work with a ground-up approach. It is supposed to work for the people and be led by the people who live on the ground and in the communities, particularly the communities that are suffering the most, many which are a stone’s throw from Uluru itself.

While more than $350 million is being spent on the referendum later this year on whether Australia will vote yes or no, which the polls are showing is unlikely, I think about the cost of living in remote communities where an iceberg lettuce could cost you anywhere up to $12, and where there is limited opportunities for employment for young men and women.

This latest revelation from Traditional Owners from Uluru and the APY Lands proves clearly that the Voice is already ignoring those voices, which is not its intended purpose.

The Voice of those who are the most disadvantaged and sit and live in community are the ones who are meant to be heard before the ones who sit in higher positions, and you can only hope they do what is right by the people.

Originally published as Uluru Statement revelations a telling sign for the Voice, writes Douglas Smith