NEWS VOICE: Under 100 Words: The ‘Yes’ Vote For A Voice To Parliament Explained

By Chris Graham on August 21, 2023 Indigenous affairs

Do you believe Indigenous people should be consulted about laws that affect them before they’re introduced? If you answered ‘Yes’ then you also have to vote ‘Yes’ for the Voice to Parliament.

It wouldn’t give Aboriginal people the right to block legislation. It would simply force politicians to consult them before laws were passed, a basic right all other Australians already enjoy.

Some politicians oppose the Voice because they’ll no longer be able to use legislation to attack Aboriginal people.

It’s distressing that in 2023 Australia has to enshrine basic rights like this in our Constitution. But that’s our reality.

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Chris Graham is the publisher and editor of New Matilda. He is the former founding managing editor of the National Indigenous Times and Tracker magazine. In more than three decades of journalism he's had his home and office raided by the Australian Federal Police; he's been arrested and briefly jailed in Israel; he's reported from a swag in Outback Australia on and off for years. Chris has worked across multiple mediums including print, radio and film. His proudest achievement is serving as an Associate producer on John Pilger's 2013 film Utopia. He's also won a few journalism awards along the way in both the US and Australia, including a Walkley Award, a Walkley High Commendation and two Human Rights Awards. Since late 2021, Chris has been battling various serious heart and lung conditions. He's begun the process of quietly planning a "gentle exit" after "tying up a few loose ends" in 2024 and 2025. So watch this space.