Hypocrisy rules for Nats in Voice referendum decision

It is not because there is not enough detail on the Voice, it is because the Nationals refuse to see the importance of building better relationships between First Nations and the parliament. It is not just about the practical benefits of what a Voice will do for First Nations people, this is as much a moral issue for non-Indigenous Australians living and working on unceded Aboriginal land. It is not what the Voice will look like that ultimately matters, it is how we articulate the purpose of a referendum process to enabling a First Nations Voice that is sustainable into the future to create better policies.

The proposition that a Voice must fix the problems created by colonisation for it to be worthy reeks of paternalism.

The proposition that a Voice must fix the problems created by colonisation for it to be worthy reeks of paternalism.

And let me be very clear; having an Aboriginal Voice in your political party does not mean they represent the interests of Aboriginal people. Politicians represent the interests of their constituency they were elected whether that is Labor, Liberal, Greens or the LNP. There is no current mechanism within our democracy that provides Aboriginal input into policy on the issues that affect Aboriginal communities. This is why a First Nations Voice will improve our democratic participation for our entire nation.

Perhaps, the greatest irony in this saga is Nationals Senator Jacinta Nampiginpa Price claiming “that what we need now is practical measures and we have to stop dividing our nation along the lines of race.” It is important to take note of those who deploy the race-based argument to oppose a First Nations Voice in the Constitution. Anyone seeking to play into race-based politics are simply peddling to their base, which is where racism thrives. We must stamp out these arguments for the future of our nation.

It is not the details of a First Nations Voice that is missing, it is navigating the politics of fear that haunts Indigenous Affairs that we must overcome to achieve a successful referendum. It is akin to the superfluous hysteria that surrounded the decision by the High Court of Australia in Mabo (No.2), a momentous occasion that changed the narrative of our nation for the better. A historic moment still worthy of celebration that did not divide us, but continues to unite us.

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The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a roadmap to peace for our nation. It is a call-to-action to address both practical and moral issues by establishing a First Nations Voice and Makarrata, a coming together after a struggle. If the federal Nationals party refuse to accept the generosity of the invitation, they are choosing to stand on the wrong side of history.

Teela Reid is a Wiradjuri/Wailwan lawyer and practitioner-in-residence at Sydney Law School.