Dear Paul,

Thanks for the welcome back. It's going to take a while
for me to get back my health - but I'm glad to be home.
I'm sorry to hear that you've been under attack - you've
obviously struck a few nerves which always makes things
interesting. I'm hoping with all my heart that Australians
will do the right thing and vote YES in the upcoming
referendum. It's such a small step - but it will mean a
great deal to many of our Indigenous People.

Dear Steele,

I forgot to say - thanks for the welcome back.
I've missed the inter-action on the forum -
and the different views which at times can be
challenging.

The significance of the referendum is to give long overdue recognition of the unique and lasting place Aboriginal people have in both the pre European history of Australia, and their post 1788 sovereignty which was never extinguished by British colonisation. Sovereignty may have been usurped, but never destroyed, despite concerted European attempts in the past to eradicate all things Aboriginal, both the people and their culture. As Marcia Langton once famously said; "The miracle is as a people (Aboriginals) we are still here."

Dear mhaze,

You wondered: "So, inquiring minds would ask, why are they going through the referendum process when the legislative process would achieve the same outcome."

Well no, inquiring minds already know that your side of politics disbands indigenous representative bodies on a regular basis.

How long do you think a legislated Voice would last under Dutton?

Josephus,

Don't be a flog.

The Voice concept wasn't derived from politicians but rather extensively canvassed and formed by indigenous non-politicians. What other catch phrases do you have in your shallow little kit bag?

The "inquiring minds" already know that Albanese wants this garbage in the Constitution because it would be much harder, even impossible, to get rid of in the way Howard got rid of ATSIC.

Talking of the Voice and the stink of corruption that it already has about it, Gladys B and her boyfriend have been found by the enquiry to have been corrupt. It remains to be seen if they will now be referred to the DPP.

"How long do you think a legislated Voice would last under Dutton?"

But, but....it will be legislated no matter what. I thought you understood that but....alas.

If the referendum gets up we'll have a situation where a body will be constitutionally required but the nature of the body will be legislated. So if a future government wanted to hobble the Voice in the future, they couldn't erase it (unconstitutional) but they could change it so that it met once in a blue moon and was staffed by Fred from Upper-kumbakta West.

Unfortunately for the Voice fanboys, they haven't thought that far ahead. But they never do.