Jeff Kennett: Bipartisan committee the answer to Voice downfall

If people genuinely cared for some of the real issues faced by First Nations people then there would have been a back-up plan ready to move if the referendum failed.

The Referendum is behind us, as is the week of silence and reflection within the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander communities.

That said, the challenges to “Closing the Gap” within many Indigenous communities and attitudes within the wider community remain.

Sadly, there was no Plan B prepared or offered by the government if the referendum failed, as was the case.

The truth is, if people genuinely cared, as opposed to politically cared, for some of the real issues that need to be resolved, there must be a plan activated.

As Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in Victoria years ago, and having a continuous relationship with the community ever since, and one of three non-Indigenous members of the Calma-Langton Working Group designing the Voice to parliament recommendations to the government, may I make some suggestions.

First – the establishment of a Standing Committee of the federal parliament for Indigenous and Torres Strait Affairs.

There are already 16 Standing Committees of the federal parliament and others that are established from time to time to investigate specific issues e.g., the Select Committee into the 2026 Commonwealth Games Bid and Air Services Agreements.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the country after the Voice Referendum failed. Picture: AAP Images

They are made up of members of parliament, drawn from all parties and independents so are technically bipartisan. Normally made up of 6 MPs.

Standing Committees exist for the life of a parliament but are invariably rolled over by successive parliaments, so they have a continuous role.

The new committee I am suggesting has responsibility for working with the Department of Indigenous Affairs to oversee, establish and monitor, activities by the federal parliament to “Close the Gap” where such closure is required.

Such activities would include an audit of all Federal Government expenditure on Indigenous affairs, and a report of the effectiveness or otherwise of that expenditure.

This audit would therefore form the basis of programs for the future.

Develop a catalogue of areas of disadvantage within the Indigenous communities, and rank them in order of need, programs and funding.

The committee might see fit to appoint a reference group to assist them in identifying areas of need and implementing programs.

An annual report to the parliament of the committee’s work, and progress in “Closing the Gap.”

The results of the failed referendum become clear to Yes campaigners. Picture: Getty Images

Second – making genuine progress in “Closing the Gap” a bipartisan issue.

My experience in delivering genuine positive results on issues that concern the community is through political bipartisanship.

When I established Beyondblue I invited former Labor Health Minister Caroline Hogg and former National Party MP John McGrath to join our board.

Both were valuable contributors and their presence ensured that the work of Beyondblue was not seen as political. People trusted its work and advice. The value of Beyondblue’s work continues today.

Therefore, I would like to suggest that the government and opposition, ministers and shadow ministers and the leadership of all parties’ work and be seen to work together, with the Standing Committee to deliver positive and measurable outcomes.

Impossible? Maybe, but not if genuine concern for “Closing the Gap” exists.

Third – Constitutional recognition of our First Settlers.

I understand why our First Settlers were not recognised in our Constitution in 1901. But times have changed so many times over.

Had the question we all had to answer at the referendum been in two parts, recognition and separately the Voice being established through the Constitution, I am sure today recognition would have been overwhelmingly supported.

Devastated YES campaigners become emotional after the referendum failed earlier this month. Picture: Getty Images

It should be a new Chapter One in the Constitution because it is factually correct.

I find it very disappointing that there is no Plan B to address both recognition and secondly addressing some of the real areas of disadvantage. So many politicians are now silent, or just walking away from the substantive issue.

I know some Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders did not want recognition alone, but the result has been that nothing has been gained from this all-or-nothing approach.

I am sorry Peter Dutton has reversed his decision to put the question of recognition of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders as the First Settlers on this continent and surrounding islands to Australians at a future date.

Surely that question could be put at the same time as a federal election?

If not allowed now, surely legislation could be passed to make it possible and save approximately $480m for a great result.

If people genuinely believe in a matter, a cause, you do not give up on delivering the substance of the cause.

I believe our Indigenous community is special. I know they have a culture different from we non-Indigenous settlers. Where possible that culture should be protected and developed. It is an asset for our country. It is time for a Plan B.