Published: 27 February 2023
Current wording:
1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to parliament and the executive government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
3. The parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
As I am not of a First Nations heritage, I defer any and all of these opinions ultimately and entirely to the consensus views of the Australian Greens First Nations Network.
My preferred draft Voice wording, to wish to vote affirmatively on it in the referendum:
1. First Nations sovereignty over the lands we call Australia today was never ceded.
2. Australia recognises the genocide that occurred here against First Nations people.*
3. Australia recognises the immense contributions of immigrant Australians and its colonial heritage. We are one, but we are many.
4. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
5. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to parliament and the executive government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, has a veto power on decisions relating to these matters when it reaches consensus, and has equivalent ceremonial and all other duties to the Governor General of Australia.**
6. The parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
*This requires the Voice to reach consensus on the genocide being over before the Voice referendum.
**The Voice should be subsequent to Truth and Treaty. Refusal of a treaty should ensure civil pathways to true independence. For propriety we should reconcile with those we've wronged before giving them a Voice, and the Voice must ensure pathways for all First Nations groups to be a part of its composition, even if they're not a RAP or equivalent.