It's a pity the referendum-free SA 'voice' may not be up and running before the federal version as I think it would highlight some problems. The legislation is supposed to cover Torres Strait islanders but the representatives must come from one of 6 zones. Trouble is Torres Strait is 2800 km from Adelaide. In all likelihood most of those seeking election will come from the Adelaide area.

Genealogists can find no aboriginal ancestry for the minister Kyam Maher but he claims to have been initiated in the APY lands. Perhaps anybody could therefore claim to be aboriginal via that process. The mini-voice has been fudged even before it starts. Expect more of this kind of thing for the national version.

Lesser, rather than being 'lauded' should be kicked out of the party. He was elected because people wanted to vote Liberal - not for him personally; 99.9% of his electorate wouldn't know him from Adam.

The party he stood for decided on NO. He is a dog.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. I think on balance we should say yes. And allow ourselves the comfort of knowing the government retains the power of veto over any proposal. As for the voice proper, it needs to be voluntary and unpaid, with just reasonable expenses met. I think we should all get behind recognition and reconciliation. As a worthwhile objective.
Alan B.

How do we define 'aboriginal'?
One way would be to look at their ancestral mix.
Go back say five or six generations?
How many ancestors are of european (or overseas) origin, and how many are of local aboriginal origin.
My thought is that in almost all cases, the european group would be far greater
So the 'aboriginal' has far greater 'affinity' with his european ancestors?
So why is the emphasis on the aboriginal side?
What other factor is there which sways their thinking towards it.

Those who are moved more by emotion than by reason will probably vote yes.
They see a few downtrodden persons, and want to help them.
Somebody says this is how we help them, and they say yes without further thought.
But those who rely on truth and reason will vote no.
They see the situation as it really is.
Fraught with danger and inequality.
It would add, harmfully, to a level of control already skewed in favour of aboriginals.
And never forget most of them have been here a relatively short time.
Probably far less than you have.
You were here first, so you should have more say?

No doubt I shall be branded a foul insensitive racist for the following remarks.
There is no doubt that what happened to the original inhabitants of Australia was wrong and many injustices were done. This sort of happening must never take place again. All inhabitants must work and act together for the total benefit of this country and its entire population.
However everybody in Australia must accept that this is 2023 and it is the 21st century, 1770 will never come again, neither will 1788. The non indigenous population are most unlikely to packup and leave this fair land and return to whence they, or their forebears, came from. While every person has the right to their own cultural beliefs please do not expect all others to fully believe and accept them. Respect them but not necessarily believe them.
Everybody please accept this and move on. Time does not run backwards.
Neither should we.

We voted in 1967 to take race out of the constitution and make every person equal, now they want to put a race back in with special privileges. This is not equality, Vote No!