Teenager’s take on the Voice back in 2018 resurfaces and goes viral

A television appearance by a 15-year-old high schooler back in 2018 has resurfaced and gone viral, with his thoughts on the Voice resonating.

A high schooler’s take on the proposed Voice to Parliament back in 2018 has resurfaced and instantly gone viral, as Australia prepares to vote in the historic referendum.

New polling indicates the Voice is on track for defeat, with support dwindling and all but two states leaning firmly towards a No result.

West Australian journalist Dylan Storer took to Twitter on Monday to offer his support of the Voice and shared a clip of himself appearing on the ABC show Q&A five years ago.

He was 15 at the time and part of a special panel of high schoolers from across the country, talking about issues facing their communities.

“I come from a majority Indigenous school,” he explained.

“We had eight weeks of term focused on the American civil rights movement, and in the last two weeks we crammed in Australian Aboriginal history.

“We have the opportunity to be a part – and be a good part – and acknowledge cultures that have been in this country, on this land, for 65,000 years.

“It could be such a large part of our country and such a large part of our identity.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visiting Uluru yesterday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The episode came shortly after then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison appointed former PM Tony Abbott as special envoy on Indigenous affairs to the government.

“This top-down approach of the government coming in and saying [they’re] going to appoint, of all people, Tony Abbott … I think it’s really counterintuitive,” Mr Storer said.

Dylan Storer appeared on Q&A on the ABC in 2018.

Tony Abbott at a Vote No event in Newcastle. Picture: Getty

In his view, much of the racism and misunderstanding about First Nations people stems from a lack of education about Australia’s history.

“Teaching Australians from a young age about Indigenous people can only make Australia stronger,” Mr Storer said.

It was a time not long after the Uluru Statement from the Heart was drafted, following extensive consultation and agreement from 250 Indigenous represents from around the country.

“When you have things like the Uluru Statement coming forward and saying, ‘We want to be the voice of our own destiny’ and the government turns around and gives people Tony Abbott, it’s really counterintuitive, I believe,” Mr Storer said.

“[The underlying issues] all really relate back to the way Australia was settled, colonised, invaded. That’s really progressed to the modern day.”

Polling indicates the Voice is on track to be defeated. Picture: Getty

The clip of Mr Storer’s remarks has been viewed more than 228,000 times and sparked a flurry of comments.

Among them was praise from former federal MP Tony Windsor, who said: “A great credit to yourself, your family and your country, Dylan. Wish you well.”

“Brilliant then – and brilliant now too,” one person wrote.

“So on point and so eloquently and clearly state,” another said.