Indigenous voice referendum too important to not pay attention

Voice referendum too important to not pay attention

Thank you to Steve Waterson for your thoughtful article (“It pains me to say so, but I see nothing to justify a Yes vote”, 7-8/10). It reflected much of the uncertainty I have faced myself over recent weeks as we approach the referendum. I am now in my ninth decade and I can’t recall having to vote on a more difficult decision in my adult life. To prepare, I have read the Uluru Statement from the Heart and all its many pages of supporting documentation to ensure I understood the argument. I have also made sure that I’ve read, hopefully objectively, both the Yes and No positions. I have now made up my mind and will vote accordingly, but urge my fellow Australians to take time to be informed voters on October 14. This is too important an issue not to give it the diligence it deserves.

Noelle Oke, Albury, NSW

As Paul Kelly notes, recognition of our First Nation peoples in the Constitution is about their rightful but not separate place in modern Australia – a special status within a unified country (“Why was the 1967 referendum different to the Indigenous voice vote”, 7-8/10). Achieving recognition through the mechanism forged at Uluru in 2017, regardless of what it achieves, would represent an invaluable step towards reconciliation. This is a simple truth. If there is a possibility for some downsides for non-Indigenous Australians, we should accept that risk. In truth, with overarching parliamentary authority, the risk is very small. Here we are, just days away from a nation-building opportunity that would restate who we are but which looks in serious jeopardy. If we turn our backs on this chance, it will be “poor fellow, my country”.

Graeme Stewart, Palm Beach, NSW

There is a certain irony to the former host of A Current Affair being pilloried by his old program using the same misquotation tricks that were so often employed while he was in the chair (“Sorry Ray, now we do know why we should vote No”, 7-8/9). Martin did not say that anyone who votes against the voice is a “dinosaur or dickhead”. He said that the proponents of the slogan “If you don’t know, vote no” were making a cynical appeal to those who they thought were too ignorant or lazy to inform themselves on the referendum proposal. But that distinction was clearly too subtle for what passes as current affairs television these days.

David Salter, Hunter’s Hill, NSW

The final days before the voice referendum are fast approaching. We appear to be being forced by our government to decide on important details that are not yet provided. This unfortunate situation is similar to being sold tickets to a concert, without knowing either the form of the concert or the performers. Just hope all will be okay. Hope of course does not provide security, particularly when dealing with something as fundamentally important as changing our Constitution.

Bruce McDougall, Buderim, Qld

A retrograde step

The recent call to close all special schools by 2051, and to cease enrolments of students with special needs from 2032, fails to take into consideration or acknowledge the diverse needs and requirements of all students with disabilities. Given mainstream schools are facilities that can educate students with disability alongside their able-bodied peers, and that special schools are facilities where students with disability are supported and educated separately from other students, there is no reference to the degree of disability, which plays a big part in determining the education setting that will best meet their needs.

Most campuses, with sufficient enrolments, have both mainstream and special class options, and careful consideration is given to their placement, which can be mainstream, part mainstream/special class or full-time special class.

My current school monitors the progress of special needs students closely, in regular consultation with parents, and frequently provides them with the opportunity to access and participate in the other options currently available. To take the option of special schools and classes away from our most vulnerable students under the guise of inclusivity would be a retrograde step.

Ian Macgowan, Ceduna, SA

Powering the nation

Another day gone in Perth that’s cloudy and still with no wind. My battery is flat after powering my house all night. Is this really how Energy Minister Chris Bowen expects to power the nation?

The issue of nuclear power is not one of economics: economics is irrelevant when there is no power. My solar panels and battery are not economic – if you use a 10-year payback criteria. If the power supply argument was about economics, coal and gas would win hands down. Even now we handicap coal and gas power stations by not letting them run economically – forcing them to shut down in favour or renewables. Bowen needs a jolt to see sense.

Brian Povey, Churchlands, WA