Australia’s “The Voice “ referendum
In recent years, there has been a growing debate in Australia about the concept of an "Indigenous Voice" to parliament. This idea, also known as the "Voice to Parliament" proposal, calls for the creation of a separate representative body for Indigenous Australians, which would advise the government on matters related to Indigenous affairs. While the concept has gained traction among some Indigenous leaders and progressive activists, it has also faced significant opposition from those on the right, who argue that it would undermine the principle of equal citizenship and create a separate class of citizens.
From a right-wing perspective, the idea of an Indigenous Voice to parliament is problematic for several reasons. First and foremost, it is seen as an infringement on the principle of equal citizenship. In a liberal democracy, all citizens are equal before the law and have the same rights and responsibilities. By creating a separate representative body for Indigenous Australians, the Voice proposal would effectively create a two-tiered system of citizenship, in which Indigenous Australians would be granted special rights and privileges that are not available to other citizens. This would be a violation of the principle of equality and would undermine the integrity of the political system.
Additionally, the right wing perspective argues that the Voice proposal would be a form of reverse discrimination, in which Indigenous Australians would be granted special rights and privileges based solely on their race. This would be a violation of the principle of non-discrimination, which is a fundamental tenet of liberal democracy. The right wing point of view also believes that it would be difficult to justify such discrimination based on race, especially when Indigenous Australians are already represented in parliament through their elected representatives and other existing mechanisms.
Another concern is that the Voice proposal would be an unnecessary duplication of existing structures. There are already a number of government bodies and programs in place that are designed to address Indigenous issues and to consult with Indigenous communities. For example, the Indigenous Advisory Council, the Indigenous Land Corporation, and the Indigenous Protected Areas program all provide Indigenous Australians with a voice in government decision-making. Furthermore, Indigenous Australians are already represented in parliament through their elected representatives, including Indigenous MPs and Senators, who can raise issues related to Indigenous affairs in the parliament.
Moreover, the right wing perspective argues that the Voice proposal would be costly and inefficient. The creation of a new representative body would require significant resources, including funding for staff and infrastructure. Furthermore, it is unclear how the new body would interact with existing government structures and how its decisions would be implemented. It is also unclear how the new body would be accountable to the public and how its members would be selected.
In conclusion, the idea of an Indigenous Voice to parliament is a deeply problematic concept from a right-wing perspective. It would undermine the principle of equal citizenship and create a separate class of citizens, violate the principle of non-discrimination, duplicate existing structures and be costly and inefficient. Instead of creating a separate representative body, the right wing perspective suggests that the government should focus on addressing the underlying issues that affect Indigenous Australians, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, by implementing policies that are based on evidence and that are inclusive of all Australians.
