Torres Strait Island Mayor says Voice ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ for all Aussies

If the Voice referendum fails, there won’t be “an appetite” to improve conditions for First Nations from the government or the public for a long time, says an Indigenous leader.

Health and infrastructure outcomes have worsened in the Torres Strait in the past 20 years despite an increase in First Nations’ politicians in parliament, the region’s mayor said as he urged Australians to back the Voice so they could “own the solutions” to their problems.

Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Phillemon Mosby said the Voice to Parliament was “nothing more, nothing less” than allowing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to give advice to the government on policies that directly affect them, while also recognising them in the constitution as the First Australians.

Despite polling indicating the Yes case for the referendum was unlikely to succeed, Mr Mosby said he remained optimistic that it could get up.

Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Phillemon Mosby. Picture: Brendan Radke

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said.
“If we miss this, there won’t be an appetite from the government or the public for a very long time.

“Yes, we have representation from Indigenous politicians, but the results speak for themselves.

“I look back into my community and region now.

“The level of investment we have in health and infrastructure now compared to 20 years ago, it’s gotten worse.

“It’s gone backwards because we’re not part of the decision-making.”

Mr Mosby said the amalgamation of several councils into TSIRC was an example of a decision imposed on them by government that had led to negative outcomes, leaving the council with fewer resources and finances to address health and infrastructure challenges.

The Gerib Sik Dancers from the Eastern Torres Strait Islands perform at the opening night of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

He said there was popular support for the Voice among the Torres Strait Island communities.

“It’s something our community has been calling for some time,” he said.

“To have direct input into the decision-making process.

“(Governments) have asked us for what our problems are. They need to ask us for the solutions in our community.

“We need to own those. There’s no better way to do that than inviting those affected around the table to have direct input into it.”

Mr Mosby said his message to voters was that the referendum was an opportunity to recognise First Australians’ place in the country through the Constitution.

Torres Strait Island, Australian and Australian Indigenous flags fly over Yeppoon. Picture: Christine McKee

“Having an enshrined Voice means that will be permanently there, regardless of which government is in power,” he said.

“We’ve seen legislation and an Act of parliament that gives existence to other Voices … but because it’s legislated, the Australian government and parliament can determine the existence and tenure of those institutions.”

The referendum on the Voice will be held on Saturday, October 14.

Originally published as Torres Strait Island Mayor says Voice ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ for all Aussies