Indigenous voice to parliament’s fate in hands of people, says Noel Pearson

Noel Pearson, the consequential figure of the modern movement for constitutional change in recognition of Indigenous Australians, says the voice campaign is ready for success.

Noel Pearson. Picture: Katje Ford

Noel Pearson, the consequential figure of the modern movement for constitutional change in recognition of Indigenous Australians, says the Indigenous voice to parliament campaign is ready for success.

“The question is now headed towards the Australian people and will soon be out of the hands of the politicians,” he said.

Mr Pearson on Friday acknowledged the leadership of Cobble Cobble woman and constitutional expert Megan Davis in final talks with the government over the wording of the proposed voice amendment.

He praised Professor Davis and Indigenous academic Marcia Langton as key members of a small delegation of Indigenous leaders who reached agreement with Anthony Albanese and senior ministers about the words that should be added to the constitution to guarantee the voice.

Professor Megan Davis. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Professor Marcia Langton. Picture: David Geraghty

“They conducted the negotiations with the PM Albanese, minister Burney and the Attorney-General in an impeccable manner,” Mr Pearson said.

“Megan has always been our leader in relation to the constitutional law. She is our most expert spokesman on the drafting. And we have all relied upon her leadership in this aspect of the recognition process.

“It is just wonderful that an Aboriginal woman is at the forefront of this historic reform.”

Government sources said there had been “a logjam” before the deal was reached in parliament on March 22. The sticking point was parliament’s power to make laws about the voice.

In a draft announced by Mr Albanese in July, parliament would have been able to make laws only about the voice’s composition, functions, powers and procedures. In the wording eventually endorsed by Indigenous leaders and the government, parliament’s power is not limited to those four things. Instead, it would “have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures”.

“They struck the right outcome with their negotiations with the government and they landed in a very sweet spot,” Mr Pearson said. “This is a milestone that we have been working towards for a very long time.”

Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition, the organisation Mr Pearson co-founded in 2019, has spent the past several months assembling its campaign to win over Australians undecided or against a constitutionally enshrined voice.

“We are advised that the campaign starts from a very strong base and we hope to build the momentum for a resounding yes when the referendum happens,” Mr Pearson told The Weekend Australian.

The Yes alliance is working with community groups, volunteers and corporates. The campaign is advised by polling and strategy firm Crosby Textor, an election specialist.

“Crosby Textor has got an international record of winning over the past three decades of political campaigns and we therefore have a very strong campaign organisation,” Mr Pearson said.

“We now embark on the next phase of the campaign, which is to make the case to the Australian people to vote yes in the referendum. I am confident we are heading towards success.”

It has been almost 16 years since Mr Pearson, Gumatj clan leader Galarrwuy Yunupingu and Professor Langton began an important collaboration on constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.

There was quickly bipartisanship on the issue. A series of reports and inquiries led ultimately to the call for an Indigenous voice. The concept was considered by many to be a compromise, or a more achievable alternative to a non-discrimination clause in the Constitution.