Voice to lend continuity amid political uncertainy

It is interesting to note that every government since 1968 has had a minister responsible for Indigenous issues. In the latter 55 years of the 122 years since Federation, governments have believed that policies relating to Indigenous Australians were so important that they warranted a minister. This ministry has become a permanent fixture. It therefore seems strange to argue that it shouldn’t be reciprocated with a permanent Indigenous voice to inform government on matters that affect Indigenous communities – and about which government sets and implements policies.

Over the last 45 years federal governments have established the National Aboriginal Consultative Committee, 1977-1985; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, 1989-2005, the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, 2009-2019; the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council, and others. The Indigenous voice to parliament will bring continuity that won’t be subject to the whims of government, especially at times of transition. Henry Ergas (“Talmudic sages gave lessons in equality for all citizens”, 25/8) writes articulately about one aspect of Judaism ... but fails to deal with the quite appalling history of Indigenous disadvantage. The voice sets Australia and Indigenous Australians on a new path. I support that change.

Harold Zwier, Elsternwick, Vic

Chris Kenny is a canny journalist, so it’s surprising to see him don rose-coloured glasses in his highly critical and selective dissection of the No position (“Busting eight myths of the No campaign”, 26-27/8).

He conveniently ignores the input of the radical Thomas Mayo, who certainly sees the voice as being the keys to the commonwealth’s front door.

While drawing our attention to the Hindmarsh Island rort, he fails to take the next logical step and wonder if there’s a hidden agenda involved in the push for a voice also.

He refuses to wonder why Linda Burney scuttled for cover when Jacinta Price suggested a televised debate. He studiously skirts the alternative that many No voters might have embraced; a legislated approach rather than a constitutional one, which would allow the nation time to assess and, if necessary, tinker with the policy settings.

Finally, he chooses not to explain how another chamber in our parliament will advance the cause of our Indigenous people, where countless previous attempts, 3000-odd entities purporting to advance Aboriginal causes, and eye-watering amounts of money have failed.

John McHarg, Maylands, WA

Chris Kenny refers to Indigenous Australians as “our most downtrodden cohort”. However, I don’t think professors of law such as Marcia Langton and Megan Davis can be considered “downtrodden”.

Along with other Yes supporters, Kenny would have us believe … that all Indigenous Australians are deprived. Social welfare figures tell a different story. It is those who bear the burden of maintaining the remnants of an ancient culture in remote areas who are disadvantaged.

Few jobs, lack of educational opportunities, poor health and housing and high levels of drug use characterise these communities. There is no evidence that voice representatives will be able to help these people. All the signs are that treaty, reparations and some sort of Indigenous sovereignty are high on Indigenous leaders’ list.

Evonne Moore, Stepney, SA

Noel Pearson (“Dropouts ‘sucked into life of crime’ ”, 26-27/8) is quoted as saying there is a clear link between illiteracy and violent youth crime, and that by not using direct instruction and phonics and providing health and social services, the school systems are failing Indigenous children. He claims: “We know exactly what works but education systems refuse to do it.”

Warren Mundine says of the violence and dysfunction plaguing so many Indigenous families: “Its root causes are not a mystery nor the solutions. What is missing is the will.”

So my question is, if “we know exactly what works” and we know “its root causes”, why do we need the voice to tell us what we already know? As Mundine rightly claims: “What is missing is the will.”

Peter Tierney, New Town, Tas