Dutton position on voice poses a difficult challenge

Supporters of an Indigenous voice to parliament face the prospect of history repeating in the wake of Peter Dutton’s pledge to continue fighting for constitutional recognition and a legislated regional voice. If the voice referendum proposed by Anthony Albanese fails, it will be in large part because the Yes campaign did not heed the lessons of the 1999 republic referendum. In that instance, voters wanted Australia to be a republic but did not accept the model that was on offer. The republic campaign was sunk over the issue of who would choose Australia’s head of state, politicians or a popular vote.

As things stand, the public is being asked to trust the political class to finalise the details of the voice to parliament after a referendum vote has taken place. After a week of spirited disagreement over the exact details of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, on which the voice campaign has been based, voters are entitled to feel confused. This is a dangerous situation for the Yes campaign. Whether the Uluru Statement is one page or many, the Yes campaign has erred in not engaging fully with the details behind its creation. Even the biggest supporters of the Yes campaign now appear either ill-equipped or disingenuous as they attempt to delink the voice referendum from the bigger set of documents that underpins the Uluru Statement. Voters understand this is the debate that must be had.

This is why the Prime Minister has erred in his failure to spend more time building a case for change in a way that could enjoy bipartisan support. A proper constitutional convention could have allowed for a greater exploration of issues to build public understanding. The frustrations being felt by the Yes campaign are understandable. But Mr Albanese’s strategy has been to appeal to the good nature of Australians and to say details will be worked out once the referendum has been held. Without bipartisan support this was never realistic. With the referendum date still to be set, but expected to be in October, there is still a chance the Yes campaign can turn things around. But the position adopted by Mr Dutton will make the challenge more difficult.

There is no doubt constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians is something that enjoys overwhelming public support. If this had been the question put in a referendum it is likely it would have enjoyed support similar to the 97 per cent achieved in the 1967 referendum that enabled Aboriginal people to be counted as part of the population and acknowledged as equal citizens, and for the commonwealth to make laws on their behalf. Such a result would provide a platform for greater achievement, whereas failure will make the bigger aims of reconciliation more difficult.

As a newspaper we have been clear in our support for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians and for them to be able to give advice to parliament on matters that affect them. We have argued in support of a ground-up approach that can deliver improved conditions in remote communities where the need is greatest and efforts to date have failed. Mr Albanese says the planned referendum is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. This may be a plausible argument for those who do not think the referendum goes far enough. But Mr Dutton’s promise to keep fighting for constitutional recognition and a legislated local and regional but not national voice to parliament undoubtedly makes the Yes campaign challenge more difficult.