Indigenous voice ‘a right and responsibility’

Interim report on Indigenous voice fails to make detailed proposals about how it would specifically advise parliament.

University of Melbourne academic Marcia Langton. Picture: Aaron Francis

An Indigenous voice in government decision-making has “a right and a responsibility to advise parliament on matters impacting ­Aboriginal and Torres Strait ­Islander people”, according to a proposal for the design of the body endorsed by cabinet.

Despite this, The Australian has confirmed the interim report handed to the federal government does not make detailed proposals about how the voice would specifically advise the Australian parliament.

Instead, the voice report to be released as early as this weekend is likely to be viewed by some as a blueprint for an Indigenous voice to government. This will disappoint those who fear the voice to parliament they hoped for is on track to become a less potent voice to bureaucracy.

The concept of an Indigenous voice emerged during more than a decade of work towards constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians. The debate over whether it should be enshrined in the constitution has simmered since the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart. That landmark statement announced the voice as a form of meaningful constitutional recognition that went beyond symbolism.

The voice is intended as a way for Indigenous Australians to be heard on the policies and government decisions that affect them most.

It is also meant to help all levels of government understand the needs of Indigenous communities without the obfuscating effect of layers of bureaucracy.

Prominent University of Melbourne academic Marcia Langton oversaw the voice report with former race discrimination commissioner Tom Calma and 50 other Australians, most of them Indigenous. It took almost a year. On Thursday Professor Langton revealed that in more than 70 meetings, the group did not revisit the policy arguments for the voice. They concentrated on what the voice could actually look like.

“The substantive matter of what Australians would be voting for in a referendum on Indigenous recognition has never been elaborated,” Professor Langton said.

“Our report is the most elaborated response to the elusive idea of a ‘Voice.’ I am sure that most Australians would want to know what a ‘Voice’ might consist of before they go to a plebiscite.”

Professor Langton said the majority of people who worked with her on the proposal for the voice were “highly experienced in political representation and administration, and fully understand the policy cycle and how to influence the political system”.

“Therefore, the distinction between a Voice to Parliament and a Voice to Government becomes irrelevant when you consider the long road from policy thought bubble to approved and implemented policy,” Professor Langton said.

Professors Langton and Calma oversaw discussions about whether voice representatives should be appointed or elected and whether, in some regions, this could be done through existing land councils or other representative bodies. An ethics body is proposed to sit alongside the voice to investigate any legitimate concerns about any individual.

“What is clear is that the landscape we are working within is complex. Our proposals will provide a framework to support what is already happening in many areas around the country, although disjointed and lacking a national body, where existing Indigenous advisory bodies and councils operate,” she said.

“It will enhance shared decision-making and ensure we are heard at all levels, as no one level of government has sole responsibility for delivery of the programs, tools or funding that are needed to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.”

Professors Langton and Calma will help explain the voice proposals and ask Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians what they think of them. Consultations will last about four months.

“I urge everybody to participate in the consultations to achieve the goal of equity for all,” she said.