BASS Coast councillors are being asked this week to declare the municipality’s support for a ‘Yes’ vote at the Voice to Parliament referendum.
However, while it’s a clear attempt to influence the way people vote in the referendum on Saturday, October 14, the Notice of Motion, to be moved by Cr Leticia Laing, is at pains to stress that it’s everyone’s right to choose how they want to vote.
“We acknowledge there are different views around the Voice. We respect everyone’s right to express their views and to choose how to vote,” said Cr Laing in the motion to be voted on by councillors at next Wednesday’s council meeting.
Cr Laing’s explanation as to why she wants Council to declare the shire’s support for a ‘Yes’ vote is as follows:
“Council has committed to reconciliation, engagement and collaboration with First Nations Peoples and the celebration and acknowledgement of our Aboriginal culture and heritage. Our Healthy Communities Plan has as a key priority to build strong relationships and create meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal people as well as increased positive support and in our organisation to Aboriginal people and communities.
“The Australian Constitution has no mention of its First Nations peoples and a ‘Yes’ vote for the Voice in the referendum will change this to create better opportunities for reconciliation and healing,” according to Cr Laing.
“The Voice to Parliament Referendum is an individual choice that allows all Australians to be a part of an historic moment in our shared history. It is a genuine chance to benefit all Australians.”
Adding weight to Cr Laing’s appeal is a note from the shire’s administration: “The proposed Notice of Motion is consistent with the Bass Coast Community Vision 2041, and the Council Plan, Healthy Community objective and relevant strategies.”
However, while Cr Laing argues that a vote for the Voice to Parliament will pave the way to “reconciliation and healing”, opponents of the referendum say no one can say what the outcome will be.
"No matter what the Government, the advocates, and the activists say about what the voice will or won't do, the fact is they don't know,” said Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a Warlpiri/Celtic woman who spoke at the National Press Club last week.
"My hope is that after October 14, after defeating this voice of division, we can bring accountability to existing structures, and we can get away from assuming in-the-city activists speak for all Aboriginals and back to focusing on the real issues - education, employment, economic participation and safety from violence and sexual assault."
Cr Laing is calling on her council colleagues to vote for the following motion:
That Council: (1.) Supports a constitutionally enshrined voice to Parliament for First Nations people; (2.) Commits to sharing clear, credible information on the Voice to Parliament and all aspects of the upcoming referendum to assist residents in making their own considered and informed choice on the day; and (3.) Is committed to reconciliation. We acknowledge that we are on a journey of learning. We continue to work actively in partnership with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. 4. We acknowledge there are different views around the Voice. We respect everyone’s right to express their views and to choose how to vote. We want to help ensure our community is well-informed to decide. (5.) We acknowledge that any position resolved by Council is without prejudice to individual positions of each Councillor or Council officer.
