‘I think we are getting less of a Voice’: Polarising views on referendum

Two young Indigenous Queenslanders with opposing views on the Voice to Parliament referendum have shared the reason behind their impending votes. VOTE IN THE POLL

Two young Indigenous Queenslanders with opposing views on the Voice to Parliament referendum have shared the reason behind their impending votes.

Allira Davis, who was born and raised in Logan, is co-chair of Uluru Youth Dialogue and believes a Yes vote will give a Voice to the currently voiceless Indigenous communities.

The group is dedicated to educating young Indigenous people about the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

“We’re emphasising this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she said.

“It’s about making sure my brothers and sisters have a Voice and they are not fighting the same fight our elders have been for years.

Jack Wilkie-Jans, who is an Aboriginal affairs advocate and artist born in Cairns, fears it will actually give his people less of a Voice on important Indigenous issues.

Jack Wilkie-Jans. Photo: Instagram

Jack Wilkie-Jans. Picture: Supplied

Mr Wilkie-Jans, whose family comes from Weipa on The Cape York Peninsula, said he simply wants more detail.

“The devil is in the detail, wanting more detail is not a hard thing to ask for,” he said.

“They can alleviate the main concerns of the white fellas, but when it comes to what black fellas want, we don’t get that.

“Do we get a say on how the representatives are chosen for this body? Do we have assurances on the terms? Or what happens if there is a stalemate on an issue?”

He said another concern was that The Voice could mean “local MPs can absolve themselves of any responsibility on Indigenous affairs brought to them by a constituent”.

“Because they can simply say ‘well that is an issue for The Voice advisory body’,” he said.

“I think we are getting less of a Voice in some instances.”

Ms Davis said she understands the argument that there is not enough detail available about The Voice, but she believes it is more about getting the information out there.

“Young people are really progressive, we already have a lot of young people supporting this and a lot have come up to us wanting to know more,” she said.

“We’re engaging and talking about issues on the ground and what The Voice will achieve … we’re trying to relay that message of hope and uniting the country rather than dividing it.

“Closing The Gap is not really working in Indigenous communities, it has only met 4 of the 19 targets … we need to give a Voice back to the voiceless.”

But Mr Wilkie-Jans said many young Indigenous people he had spoken to wanted a treaty first.

“There are a lot of young people who are pro The Voice because they don’t remember the decades of established bodies and bureaucracy. To say we’re nothing without The Voice, that is not what our elders thought when they were fighting for everything else,” he said.

“You don’t need a referendum to establish advisory bodies like this, or establish a treaty – you only need a referendum for recognition in the constitution. So to hold that to ransom and say we don’t get recognition if we don’t vote for The Voice, it’s manufacturing consent.”

Originally published as ‘I think we are getting less of a Voice’: Polarising views on referendum