Here's the "don't speak in public topic of the day":
I'm on the fence in regard to the impending vote for the Aboriginal Voice to Parliament.
It seems to me that
the main message of the YES camp is: "You are a absolute dirt bag F^@&ing Racist if you don't vote yes"
and
The main Message of the NO camp is: "Be afraid of whatever you are afraid of to justify to yourself to vote No"
I started by thinking: well this is a vote to change the constitution. "What is the actual proposed change?" I have heard commentary on the radio that the government have not spelt out exactly how it will run but usually when one votes on something, the exact words are what one votes on so lets start there. Turns out the exact words are:
Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:
- there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
- the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
- the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.
This comes from:
https://voice.gov.au/resources/fact-sheet-referendum-question-and-constitutional-amendment
So for me, what do I see:
Firstly- recognition of Aboriginal and Torres straight peoples as the first peoples. - OK
Secondly - i it's got a name - OK
Thirdly - ii The voice may make recommendations to parliament - OK - It's just a recommendation.
Fourthly - iii Parliament decides how it will operate - ie power remains with the parliament. - OK
So I am a lot more relaxed about it. To me the only thing is the effect of making recommendations. Will the government somehow get arm twisted into accepting recommendations because it's embarrassed to not accept them but if that's the case well we need people in government with just the right amount of backbone and also at the end of the day it's about democracy and those in government will on the whole accept or reject based on their assessment of how that will affect the next election.
And right at the end, another of my pet peeves is will the FB algorithm stymie debate on this and my free speech by not sharing this post with my political opinion.
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