Thomas Mayo (maritime union worker, author, official advocate for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament) joins me to answer your questions regarding the upcoming referendum to amend the constitution to recognise a Voice. It’s a big, historic and profoundly important moment for every Australian voter. We talk through the basics and drill down into the counterarguments – is there a need for more detail (short answer = no, it’s constitutionally inappropriate to provide more), does it veto laws (no, it advises only), does it give First Nations Peoples more rights (no, it grants no rights). I’ve designed things so you can be best prepared for the vote at the end of the year and for the conversation leading up to it. Also, as an episode to share widely!
I encourage you to read the Uluru Statement from the Heart
Here’s the referendum question: A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
Do you approve of this proposed alteration?
Get hold of Thomas Mayo’s books, including The Voice to Parliament Handbook written with ABC journalist Kerry O’Brien, and his children’s book about the Uluru Statement, Finding Our Heart.
Check out my Wild conversation with Prof Megan Davis and my interview with The Ethics Centre’s Simon Longstaff who talks about the ethical way to view your vote.
If you need to know a bit more about me… head to my \"about\" page
Subscribe to my Substack newsletter for more such conversation
Get your copy of my book, This One Wild and Precious Life
Let’s connect on Instagram! It’s where I interact the most