‘Simply good manners’: Anthony Albanese outlines Indigenous Voice to parliament referendum

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has outlined the Labor government’s historic referendum to bring an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has outlined the Labor government’s historic referendum to bring an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Revealing the wording of the act last week, Mr Albanese said his government would seek support for the question in time to have a referendum in this term of parliament, describing the proposal as a “straightforward proposition” being “from the heart”.

Speaking on The Project this evening, the Prime Minister said it is “not a third chamber but simply good manners”, insisting the proposal was “pretty simple”.

“If the proposition is where matters affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people, then those people, First Nations people should be consulted on it,” he said.

“It is no different from the fact that we consult women’s organisations if you want to have an impact on women. You consult different organisations, sections of society on matters that affect them and the thing is if you give them that sense of ownership you get more positive outcomes.

“We know that from 120 years of experience of Canberra spending billions of dollars but not achieving the right outcomes if Indigenous people are excluded from that process, where they have been included in areas like Indigenous ranges, you have seen far more successful outcomes.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has outlined the Labor government’s historic referendum to bring an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Mr Albanese said he would “continue to engage with” opponents of the Indigenous Voice referendum.

“Australia’s constitution should recognise the fact that people have been here for 60,000 years. The oldest continuous civilisation on Earth and that should be a source of pride. Our history didn’t begin and end either in 1788,” he continued.

Mr Albanese on Friday revealed the sentences he would like to see written into the constitution, including:

1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to Parliament and the Executive Government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Yothu Yindi Foundation Chair Galarrwuy Yunupingu the Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Friday, July 29, 2022.

Mr Albanese said enshrining the Voice would indicate “a willingness to listen” that won’t depend on future governments or leaders.

He would also seek the support of the Opposition and crossbench.

“The Voice will exist and endure outside of the ups and downs of election cycles and the weakness of short-term politics,” he said.

“It will be an unflinching source of advice and accountability. Not a third chamber, not a rolling veto, not a blank cheque.

“But a body with the perspective and the power and the platform to tell the government and the parliament the truth about what is working and what is not.”

Mr Albanese said enshrining the Voice would indicate “a willingness to listen” that won’t depend on future governments or leaders.