The dark side of The Voice

The intent of The Voice is not anchored within the Constitution

With the federal parliament having so much jurisdiction over the structure and procedures of The Voice, there is a risk this quasi-third chamber of parliament will change in its purpose and/or influence over time. As social activism narratives change in the future, governments down the line, have the power to either enhance or decrease the scope and influence of The Voice. For example, a government not sympathetic to activist narratives could easily downgrade the importance of The Voice. Alternatively, a government sympathetic to new activist narratives may enhance the power of The Voice, in ways not imagined at this point of time.

In other words, what the referendum intends, may be modified or evolve into something different, from the Albanese government's intentions today.

The Voice may not represent the will of the majority of indigenous Australians

Some 250 indigenous Australian 'leaders' signed the Uluru Statement from the Heart. This doesn't guarantee that this is a widely shared view or priority among indigenous Australians. Those publicly active among indigenous Australians primarily from urban areas, may hold different views to those in remote areas. There needs to be more formal community consultations. A number of delegates walked out of the Uluru gathering, claiming they were threatened by those with vested interests.

Rising false claims of being an indigenous Australian

The 2021 census found an increasing number of Australians claiming indigenous Australian heritage. There was a 25 percent increase from the 2016 census, where 812,878 self-identified as indigenous. Some believe the indigenous population in Australia should actually be around 300,000.

The Commonwealth's three-point criteria for Indigenous identification includes: Indigenous by descent, self-identification as an Indigenous person, and acceptance by a registered Indigenous organization. If those self-identifying themselves as indigenous Australians were screened against the Commonwealth criteria, the actual number of indigenous Australians would be much less.

This has created opportunities for activists to seek political leverage through self-identification, and has led to those within the indigenous community not agreeing with their political views, to be pushed around. There is concern that some activists are actually exploiting the indigenous communities for political advancement.

These are important issues that must be solved before the referendum takes place.

Corruption, vested interests, and selection of The Voice members

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) was at the centre of allegations of corruption, with irregularities with the spending of funding. ATSIC was notorious in controlling the voices of indigenous communities. Green politicians have infiltrated indigenous Australian organizations, and use this platform for their political causes, rather than the wellbeing of indigenous communities. For example, the annual criticism of Australia Day, or Invasion Day, as activists call it, is not centred upon the mainstream indigenous communities.