In 2023 there have only been a handful of letters to the "Clarence Valley Independent" editor published online to date concerning the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Voice to Parliament.
Here are the two most recent......
Clarence Valley Independent online:
The quiet voice
September 27, 2023 -
Ed,
In the lead up to the referendum, we’re hearing a lot of controversy. The quieter voices get less airplay. Yet these are the important voices.
Boots on the ground Larrakia Elder Aunty Bilawara Lee is one such quiet voice. She says:
“The Voice gives us a platform and a way forward. This referendum isn’t about politics or constitutions or governments or legislation – it came from us, not from them.
It’s about how do we keep our kids at school? How do we fight the scourge of domestic violence, suicide, and poor mental health?
How do we stop repeating this same terrible cycle, decade after decade?
We’re not asking for money; we’re not asking for your backyards. We want recognition and acknowledgment; we want to be included.
Some people say to me “You’re an elder, why don’t you fix this problem.”
Well, we need to have a seat at the table. Let me have a say and bring our suggested solutions to these major issues.”
How to support the quiet voices? By voting Yes.
Shakti Burke, Maclean
Understanding the Voice
September 20, 2023 -
Ed,
I was unaware of how a Voice to Parliament would be implemented and have read as much as I can find on the question of the referendum and now have a better understanding.
The terms of reference, size, mode of election for the Voice will be determined by the parliament not by the prime minister. This does make it fairly clear why as yet we have not been given details of how it would be implemented.
Since the Albanese government does not have a majority in both houses of parliament, the composition and function of the Voice will require negotiation and compromise, in which Mr Dutton and members who are advocating a ‘No’ vote will be able play a constructive role in the make up, size, mode of election and terms of reference for the Voice to Parliament. This includes our Federal Member Kevin Hogan who recently claimed he is concerned about who is on the Voice and how they are chosen to be on the Voice etc.
Hopefully as the next few weeks go by, we will gain more of any understanding of this process and less vitriol and negativity on such an important question.
Annie Dorrian, Iluka
There are also events like this one on Sunday, 1 October 2023, at Pilot Hill, Yamba.....
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Photo: Maiara Skarheim, Look Right Productions
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| Photographer not identified |
Video by Frankie Belle Parker
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