*Sushil, an Indian immigrant, juggles night shifts as an Uber driver and a daytime job. He has no idea what the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum is about.
A volunteer dedicated to changing the Constitution to recognise Australia’s First Peoples by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice remarks, “There is a lot of work to be done.”
Elvis Martin, a member of the Anti-Racism Taskforce, seconds, “Without a doubt, many people lack an understanding of the current situation, and a significant amount of misinformation is circulating.”
In the midst of this complex endeavour, Harpreet Singh Kandra, an academic and community volunteer, has appealed to the multicultural communities to learn more and act sensibly.
First, let’s encapsulate what the Voice to the Parliament referendum is all about.
The Voice initiative, set for a late 2023 referendum, seeks to amend the Constitution, establishing an ongoing advisory group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This Voice would provide insights to the government regarding issues affecting these communities.’
However, it’s worth noting that there are both supporters and opponents of this initiative.
Prof Andrew Gunstone, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Reconciliation at Federation University, delves into the campaign’s complexities.
“The ‘No’ campaign, largely from the conservative side, questions the legality of the constitutional referendum. Yet, around 99 percent of legal submissions, evident through parliamentary commission records, confirm its validity without high court concerns. This tactic aims to create confusion and promote caution, but in reality, it’s crucial for individuals to seek understanding if they’re uncertain,” he says.
Gunstone identifies two primary factions within the campaign: conservative politicians criticising without clear alternatives, and progressives advocating action but prioritising a treaty first.
“From my viewpoint, a large majority of Aboriginal people, about 80 to 84 percent, prefer prioritising the Voice before a treaty and truth. While some Indigenous individuals hold different views, I disagree because developing a treaty could take up to 20 years, potentially sidelining other vital socio-economic issues.
“In my opinion, starting with the Voice makes more sense. It can handle day-to-day matters and long-term treaty negotiations with the government. The alternative risks the government struggling to negotiate a treaty without established Voice representation. Who would speak for Indigenous people in those talks?”
Community leaders like Kandra exemplify broad support for Indigenous Australians. Kandra’s leadership in the ‘Yes’ campaign at Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar in Officer highlights the importance of disseminating information within culturally and linguistically diverse communities. He envisions this initiative enhancing the quality of life for First Nations people and resonating across diverse backgrounds.
He emphasises that around 20 percent of the referendum voters will hail from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Given this, it becomes pivotal to disseminate information within these communities about recognising First Nations in the constitution and establishing an empowered independent body.
This initiative, Kandra believes, will not only enhance the quality of life for First Nations people but also strike a chord with a diverse range of backgrounds, fostering a united stance.
This strong interplay among various communities underscores the profound significance of acknowledging Indigenous issues. Gunstone’s observations from decades of academic engagement show positive outcomes when addressing Indigenous matters.
Dya Singh, one of the Australia’s pioneers in the development of new Australian World Music and a respected community leader, offers further insight.
“The 1967 Referendum which accepted the existence of Aboriginal people, to vote and be counted, also opened the doors for non-aboriginal ‘coloured’ people leading to multiculturalism in the ensuing decades. The Yes vote to the ‘Voice’ for Aboriginal people signals the coming of age also of multiculturalism as an integral fabric of Australian life,” says Singh.
Kandra has urged individuals of Indian heritage to reflect on the roughly 200 years of colonial rule and its parallel to the experiences of the traditional owners. He also prompted faith-based communities to revisit their scriptures for insights into principles of equality and justice.
He emphasises that as immigrants, our claim for equality holds weight only if we support the First Nations People by voting ‘yes’.
As someone from a multicultural background, for Martin, voting ‘Yes’ is a duty with two core reasons: rectifying the constitution’s oversight in recognising Australia’s original inhabitants and ensuring the permanence of the Voice advisory body.
Gunstone has another fear. “If we decline this incredible invitation with a “No,” it will cast a negative light upon us in the eyes of the world. This decision will undoubtedly affect our international relations and business prospects. We also risk becoming synonymous with the historical challenges faced by South Africa, and that is a significant concern we cannot overlook.”
The Voice referendum resonates with multicultural communities, emphasising the importance of understanding, unity, and recognition as Australia navigates this pivotal moment in its history.
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