Student Representative Council

A letter to Parents, Carers, Staff and Students, written by the KCC Student Representative Council of 2023,

On the 14th of October, Australia is called to vote in the first referendum since 1999. The Voice to Parliament is a change to the Australian Constitution. This gives Indigenous communities a route to inform policy decisions that impact their lives. 

The Voice has been proposed for two reasons. Firstly, the publication of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a document written by Professor Megan Davis and George Williams AO, two of Australia's best-known constitutional experts, which aims to promote reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI) and non-indigenous Australians. Secondly, the limited progress of Closing the Gap report has resulted in a call for greater recognition of Indigenous peoples in Australian policy, a problem that will be abetted by the Voice. 

The Voice is an advisory body that will act in the likeness of Royal Commissions. It will be a democratically elected body, and representatives will be elected by Indigenous Australians. It will be accountable and transparent. It will have no veto power. It will only be consulted on matters that directly affect Indigenous Australians. It will have no role in Australian federal policy outside of recommendations made to the government. Recommendations may be partially or fully considered, or not at all. The implementation of findings of the Voice is to the Government's full discretion.

In attempts to dismiss the Voice, politicians and media sources intentionally exaggerate, misinterpret and construe the true and sole purpose of the Voice. Its sole purpose is to aid the government in its ability to fairly and equitably represent ATSI peoples in our legislature. Pauline Hanson claims the Voice aims to push monetary and land interests of Indigenous Australians, including reparations. This is not true. It aims to achieve equality, most notably in terms of health, justice and education.

Some Indigenous people do not want the Voice. However they are in the minority, and this does not mean they do not want change. Of the two polls conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission, ATSI support of the Voice has been recorded at a minimum of 80%. The Voice to Parliament is not a change created by the Labour Party or Anthony Albanese. It was created by Indigenous Australians in the Uluru Statement from the Heart for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. 

The change cannot simply be legislated, or drafted into Australian law. It has very intentionally been drafted as a constitutional change, so that it may be protected from changes in leadership and government, a term known as ‘political football’, so that it may be protected by our central and founding set of laws. 

Informed and direct advice to the Government on relevant issues is important for a number of reasons. It will speed up courts and tribunals and will accelerate and improve the Government's ability to make decisions on relevant legislation. It will make a significant and practical difference. As Australians, it is our responsibility to ensure that all communities are heard, so that everyone may have an equal opportunity to live and thrive. It is a simple decision. A decision to mend our past, and shape our future as a country that celebrates and embraces our oldest surviving culture. 

We hope that when you are called to vote, our country comes together as one to make a decision that will help to solve centuries of hurt and suffering in our nation. We all have the power to make a change on October 14th. Not understanding the issue is not an excuse to vote no. Learn about the Voice and what it means so that you may make an informed decision. Please make the change that helps to build up our fellow Australians.

This letter is not intended to persuade you or change your decision. It is simply meant to help the Kildare community make an informed decision about this referendum.

On behalf of the KCC Student Representative Council of 2023,

Hamish McRae | Year 12 Student