I don't quite see it as a "race based franchise". Even if it is, it's a lot less harmful and invidious than the racist franchise that Albanese has just gifted to Modi. Uncapped Indian immigration, like it or not.

But yeah, it's a bit of a casual wedge. If it gets up, victory laps in Glebe/Northcote. If not, blame bad old Dutton/Murdoch. Lose some skin.

Here are his real agendas: No 1: Humungous Australia, a permanent United Nations immigration narco-state, or else. No 3: Defer the Republic Issue, so he can suck up to Chas-Camilla for longer. No 2: There is no No 2.

If the proposal succeeds it will be unlike the homosexual marriage referendum where the result was quietly accepted by the losing side. What may emerge is 'whitefellas truth telling' about billions frittered away on aboriginal spending for poor results on the ground. Currently the spending of the Yes vote dwarfs any No spending which seems to contradict the claim of government neutrality. The $1bn+ funded ABC appears to be doubling down plus steady support from SBS and NITV.

What will particularly irritate many is if Albanese crows about the forces of decency prevailing so the journey of healing can begin or similar twaddle. Some may remember being told power prices would go down. Also the question of where 700,000 migrants will live seems to have been conveniently forgotten. Conversely if the proposal fails the woke will have a group hug and talk of international shame. Either way it is an unnecessary division.

In a liberal democracy all citizens should be equal in representation and share of funding. Our indigenous brothers are better organised than is generally appreciated with elected MPs across all the major and minor parties at state and federal level.

In an Orwellian democracy, some citizens and communities will receive special treatment and power.

Whatever Albanese does has a political calculus for winning the next election.

"Fighting" Tories alone makes Albanese a dimwit. There are no Tories in Australia to fight. There aren't even any conservatives in politics these days.

I saw the idiot getting on a plane wearing an old fashioned hat (not the popular wide brimmed things wrongly described as akubras (Akubra is a brand name), but the early 20th. Century things that most men wore those days.

Perhaps his minders told him that he should try to look like Ben Chifley.

It doesn't matter much whether or not he doesn't care if the Voice sinks or swims; the man is an ignorant fool that Labor should get rid of if it wants another three years, and wants to halt the rush to the bottom Australia is experiencing now; and stop this appallingly divisive, racist plot that will cook Australia's goose for ever.

There is no reason for a "simple proposal" for recognition to be anywhere near the Constitution. No particular racial group should have recognition above others. There is nothing special about the modern descendants of the Stone Age original inhabitants, who are the ones looking for handouts and special treatment.

One commentator described Albanese as a "student communist"; I say that Albanese is a fully graduated communist.

There's a lot of what ifs here, Graham and we don't know what the final question will ask.

That said, you made some good points and put the question in a way that would garner widespread support.

If the voice needs to be more than your proposal, then the changes ought to be small and incremental over time. And the government of the day retaining power of veto!
Alan B.

Some Tories need reminding of 21st May 2022, to their eternal angst, they didn't win, they ran last, LABOR won the election, full stop. As much as some members of the "born to rule" class believe otherwise, LABOR has a mandate to do what it promised pre-election, and that's what its doing, implementing its agenda. Proposals from those who oppose real recognition in the form of 'The Voice" offer nothing more than ineffective window dressing, such as recognition of Aboriginal people in the Constitutions preamble. The real agenda of those opposed is the maintenance of power in the hands of the elite, and in no way wanting true equality.

'The Voice' 'YES' campaign seems united, whilst those of the 'NO' side appear rather divided. Dutton is trying to evoke the rednecks and racists, along with the conservatives and moderates in opposing 'The Voice', already many Liberals don't want a bar of this notion of getting into bed with racists and bigots.