The Voice, the Constitution, and our Westminster system

Friday, 22 September 2023 - 10:00am to Friday, 29 September 2023 - 10:30am

While a lot of people are apparently worried about tampering with the Australian Constitution in enshrining an Aboriginal Voice to parliament, Jennifer and Jacques discuss how we don't actually follow our Constitution for the most part. It is an anomolous document that embeds our subjection to a distant monarch and says nothing about democratic processes.

Alongside our Constitution we have the Westminister system from Britain - of following principles that have been developed over time and embodied in precedents. At the time of federation, 1901, both our Consititution and governing principles and precedents were fundamentally racist.

A 'Yes' vote for an Aboriginal advisory group to Parliament would just be the beginning. The ongoing work would be in ensuring its representation of local Aboriginal communities around Australia, and making sure that Parliament respects the advice and puts in place policies that improve Aboriginal lives on the ground. With this in mind, Jennifer and Jacques believe a Voice to Parliament would release a world of possibilities for a better future - not just for Aboriginal people, but for all Australians.

Friday 10:00am to 10:30am
Think Again offers weekly conversations and reflections about current events, trends and public pronouncements on contemporary and emerging issues. The show moves beyond what we read and hear via the public and ‘social’ media, to invite alternative possibilities to guide our thinking, living and organising.

Presenter

Jennifer Borrell & Jacques Boulet

Topic