Australia needs an Indigenous Voice to Parliament for several important reasons:
Historical Injustices: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced a long history of marginalization, dispossession, and discrimination. Their rights and interests were not adequately represented in the early formation of the Australian nation, and this legacy of exclusion has had lasting impacts on Indigenous communities.
Recognition and Reconciliation: Establishing an Indigenous Voice to Parliament would be a significant step towards recognizing and acknowledging the unique place and contribution of Indigenous peoples in Australia’s history and culture. It would demonstrate a commitment to reconciliation and addressing the historical injustices faced by Indigenous communities.
Meaningful Consultation: The creation of an advisory body allows for meaningful consultation with Indigenous Australians on matters that directly affect them. It ensures that their perspectives, knowledge, and lived experiences are considered in the development and implementation of policies and legislation that impact their communities.
Policy Development: An Indigenous Voice to Parliament would enhance the policymaking process by providing valuable insights into the specific needs and challenges faced by Indigenous communities. This would lead to more informed and culturally sensitive policies that are better suited to address the complex issues affecting Indigenous peoples.
Self-Determination: Empowering Indigenous Australians with a formal voice allows them to participate in decisions that affect their own lives and communities. It aligns with the principle of self-determination, which recognizes that Indigenous peoples should have the right to control their own destinies and have a say in shaping their future.
Closing the Gap: Australia has been striving to address the gaps in health, education, employment, and other social indicators between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. An Indigenous Voice to Parliament can play a vital role in driving policies and initiatives aimed at closing these gaps and achieving greater social and economic equality.
Strengthening Democracy: Inclusion and representation are fundamental principles of a healthy democracy. An Indigenous Voice to Parliament would enhance democratic participation by ensuring that the voices of all Australians, including Indigenous peoples, are heard and respected.
It’s important to note that the idea of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is not about creating a separate governing body or a third chamber of Parliament. Instead, it is intended to be an advisory body that provides advice and recommendations to the government on issues affecting Indigenous communities.
Overall, an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is seen as a crucial step towards fostering greater social cohesion, promoting understanding, and building a more just and inclusive society in Australia.
In reality, all these above options only to widen the gap, not closing the gap, there is wide spread conspiracy going on to divide Australians, 3% Indigenous communities has more rights, schemes, funding and freebies than 97% others. this voice and treaty just another land grabbing policy similar to 1980s Zimbabwe, once land is handed over natives they can sell back to white farmers just to make money and corrupt politicians has cut in its profit, also same politicians chair someone who shell out more from the funding granted.
Since 1967 they have voice to Parliament, they can vote or contest, still they want Voice again so they can proceed with treaty where no one question what they do with land and funding dollars.
for last 50 years billions of dollars spent on Indigenous communities but still majority still in shanty houses. that shows real picture of all the drama.