MEDIA RELEASE A VOICE TO PARLIAMENT KEY RECOMMENDATION OF

“Enshrining a Voice to Parliament in the Constitution provides certainty that First Nations people will have a greater say in decisions about our lives and the lives of our children.” The design and functions of this body would be set out by legislation. [...] The Council has proposed that one of the functions of the Voice to Parliament would be monitoring the use of the heads of power in section 51 (xxvi) and section 122. [...] The second recommendation of the report is a Declaration of Recognition to unify Australians that sits outside the Constitution. [...] In addition, there are two other matters of great importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples the Council has brought to the attention of the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. [...] “And unifying because the body itself, and the respectful, inclusive process that has been the backdrop to its creation, has the potential to turn around our dismal record of policy failure in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs.” “Clear-headed consideration of what we have advocated, and why, will bring Australians of all backgrounds and political persuasions to one conclusion, I believ.