Uncharted waters in devising details for the voice

Greg Sheridan’s article in The Weekend Australian (“Liberalism equals equality”, 26-27/11) should raise concerns regarding the voice in its proposed form. Creating a separate racial identity in the Constitution won’t help; it would only effectively reinforce the them-and-us issue that the Constitution must not embrace. Noel Pearson was right when he said Australians “hold and express strong views about us, despite never having met us”. Racism is so entrenched in Australia that I’m uncertain how we can address it. The voice won’t help, so shouldn’t we find a way where the Indigenous and non-Indigenous can meet and get to know each other?

As Sheridan says, “Australia has countless methods of consultation and engagement with Aboriginal citizens, but not at the local area.” Many people I have spoken to don’t understand the issues and won’t vote or will only vote against it because, quite frankly, they are racist. We all have a responsibility to embrace the fact that we are to a degree racist, and make a real effort to know and understand those who are different to us.

Margaret Elder, Moss Vale, NSW

Greg Sheridan presents a clear and rational argument against the exclusive voice to parliament. It is indeed a divisive, illiberal and undemocratic path.

Martin Luther King offers a much better model without assaulting the principle of democratic equality. The Indigenous community deserves better.

Bernie Tranter, Beaumaris, Vic

Janet Albrechtsen once again applies her forensically analytical blowtorch (“Ex-judge’s take on voice only confirms litigation fears”, 30/11).

This time it is to former High Court justice Kenneth Hayne’s detailed arguments designed to allay fears over a constitutionally entrenched Indigenous voice becoming a lawyers’ picnic.

For this reader, the stark and simple admission in Hayne’s arguments that “the ambit of the phrase ‘matters relating to First Peoples’ is broad” brings down the whole house of cards.

Aboriginal people – Australia’s “First Peoples” – are members of the Australian nation along with the rest of us, and as such any broad interpretation and application could arguably be applied to anything that will relate to all Australian citizens, in any area of political, legal, social and civic life. Perhaps I’m a simple-minded redneck, or not as trusting as the former High Court justice, but it seems that such a “broad” caveat has the potential to effectively hijack the nation.

Deborah Morrison, Malvern East, Vic

Janet Albrechtsen, I salute you. I too thought ex-High Court justice Kenneth Hayne “would say that, wouldn’t he” about the harmlessness of any future High Court rulings on an Indigenous voice – but you provided incontrovertible reasons why he was kidding himself.

Roslyn Phillips, Tea Tree Gully, SA

When Captain Cook planted the English flag with resounding musket fire on Possession Island, he realised that his ship and crew had finally made it to the top of the east coast of Terra Australis – all in previously uncharted waters.

This amazing and epic voyage of survival and ingenuity gave him occasion to write the damning, unfortunate and incorrect phrase that this land was “unpeopled” to his superiors back in England. It is quite right that a document of correction and apology should be written into our Constitution that quite properly acknowledges that this land was occupied and peopled by those from a non-European background prior to the discoveries of both the east and the west coasts of this island continent.

Unfortunately, this effort at correction has now led to a collection of ideas and perceptions loosely known as the voice, that is basically unspecific. The proposed referendum must be quite specific, and unambiguous, written in clearly understood language in fairness to all Australians who will be asked to vote in such a referendum.

Stephanie Summers, North Turramurra, NSW

The median age of death – that is, the age at which 50 per cent of deaths are above or below a particular age – is close on 60 years for Indigenous Australians compared with close on 80 years for non-Indigenous Australians. That is a pretty strong plug for an Indigenous voice.

Ken Clarke, Tweed Heads, NSW