Australian government finally reveals key details on Indigenous Voice to Parliament

After weeks of criticism for being light on detail, Linda Burney has outlined exactly what she wants the Voice to focus on. See what her priorities are and whether you agree with them.

• Video: The Voice explained

The Voice will be asked to focus on the health, education, employment and housing of Aboriginal people to lift devastatingly poor life outcomes, the government says in its clearest remarks on the referendum yet.

But in a passionate speech outlining the Voice’s ideal priorities, Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney stopped short of outlining exactly how the body would elect its representatives.

The address at the National Press Club will come after weeks of criticism over a lack of information around the proposal which will go to the public later this year.

“(Aboriginal children are) 55 times more likely to die from rheumatic heart disease than non-Indigenous people … (and) 24 times more likely to be locked up than their non-Indigenous neighbours,” she is expected to say today.

“First Nations children represent 37 per cent of all children who have been removed from their parents, but make up only 6 per cent of Australia’s children.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney. Picture: Richard Walker

“Our people are more likely to have experienced homelessness than to hold an undergraduate degree.”

After causing controversy over remarks the Voice would not look at the issue of changing Australia Day, Ms Burney outlined three “practical” examples of how it could help including by fixing local school attendance, improving the failing community development programs and helping Aboriginal mums birth their babies in a culturally appropriate way.

“Unlike (the) government, it won’t be distracted by the three year election cycles. It will plan for the next generation, not the next term,” she will say.

“It will be focused on making a better future for the next generation.”

In principle, local communities would identify issues and raise them with their Voice representative who can then bring it up with policy makers.

Ms Burney will ask the body to consider these issues but the independent body would ultimately be free to follow the issues it feels are more significant to Aboriginal people.

Young people will also be included in the mix of advisers and the body will strive for gender equity within its ranks.

The referendum will be held between October and December this year. Picture: Getty

Ms Burney outlined that representatives will be chosen “by local communities, for local communities” but did not break down the logistics of their appointment.

“Every state and territory, the Torres Strait Islands and remote communities will be represented.”

The referendum is expected to take place later this year between October and December but no concrete date has been announced yet.

Local mayors from NSW towns with some of the highest Aboriginal populations earlier told The Daily Telegraph that a lack of detail was pushing people to vote no.

Ms Burney’s remarks come after the government was grilled by the opposition over the issues the Voice could address including interest rates, Australia Day and parking tickets.

“Friends, voting “Yes” at the referendum will be a vote to unify and strengthen Australia,” she said.

“Voting “Yes” will be an act of patriotism.”

Originally published as Australian government finally reveals key details on Indigenous Voice to Parliament