what is the voice vote australia

what is the voice vote australia

1 year ago 41
Nature

The Voice Vote Australia is a referendum that took place on October 14, 2023, in which Australians were asked to vote on whether to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. The Voice would be an independent advisory body made up of and chosen by First Nations people from communities around Australia. The members of the Voice would provide non-binding advice to MPs and policymakers on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The referendum was proposed by First Nations people based on a lengthy and widespread consultation process about the best way to achieve constitutional recognition of Indigenous people in Australia.

The referendum was a simple yes or no vote to alter the Constitution to recognize the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. For the referendum to succeed, a majority of Australians needed to vote yes, and there also needed to be majority support in at least four of Australias six states. Polls have consistently placed the No vote ahead, with experts pointing to a lack of bipartisan support from lawmakers. It has left some from the Indigenous community feeling dismayed.

The Voice proposal is the subject of fierce debate, with both support and opposition across the political spectrum. Advocates say the Voice needs to be enshrined in the constitution rather than legislated. Such a change cannot happen without a referendum. They argue this would give the Voice permanency, insulating it from partisan politics. Implementing a Voice is also seen as likely to create further impetus for an Australian republic.

The Canberra Liberals gave its MPs a conscience vote on the issue, and the partys leader, Elizabeth Lee, supports the Voice. The LNP has not stated a clear position on the Voice, and the partys leader in Queensland, David Crisafulli, announced he has an "open mind" on the issue. The South Australian division opposes the states version of the Voice to Parliament, but has not yet made a stance on the federal version. The Tasmanian Liberals support the Voice, while the NSW Nationals oppose it. Former New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet supports the Voice, and the current leader, Mark Speakman, announced that members of the party would be given a free vote on the issue. On August 12, 2023, Speakman announced that he personally supports the Voice, but would not be campaigning for it.

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