What do you think?
Rate this book
The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need
'We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.' These words from the Uluru Statement from the Heart are a heartfelt invitation from First Nations People to fellow Australians, who will have the opportunity to respond when the Voice referendum is put to a national vote by the Albanese Government.
Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and acclaimed journalist Kerry O’Brien have written this handbook to answer the most commonly asked questions about why the Voice should be enshrined in the Constitution, and how it might function to improve policies affecting Indigenous communities, and genuinely close the gap on inequalities at the most basic level of human dignity.
A handy tool for people inclined to support a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum, The Voice to Parliament Handbook reflects on this historic opportunity for genuine reconciliation, to right the wrongs and heal the ruptured soul of a nation. This guide offers simple explanations, useful anecdotes, historic analogies and visual representations, so you can share it among friends, family and community networks in the build-up to the referendum.
If the ‘yes’ vote is successful this book will also become a keepsake of an important and emotional milestone in Australia's history.
Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and acclaimed journalist Kerry O’Brien have written this handbook to answer the most commonly asked questions about why the Voice should be enshrined in the Constitution, and how it might function to improve policies affecting Indigenous communities, and genuinely close the gap on inequalities at the most basic level of human dignity.
A handy tool for people inclined to support a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum, The Voice to Parliament Handbook reflects on this historic opportunity for genuine reconciliation, to right the wrongs and heal the ruptured soul of a nation. This guide offers simple explanations, useful anecdotes, historic analogies and visual representations, so you can share it among friends, family and community networks in the build-up to the referendum.
If the ‘yes’ vote is successful this book will also become a keepsake of an important and emotional milestone in Australia's history.
98 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2023
92 people are currently reading
502 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
November 1, 2023
UPDATE 29.10.23
With the defeat of the referendum, I can imagine this text being studied in schools for decades to come: classroom debates on political discourse; how to ‘sell’ a referendum without bi-partisan support, or the meanspirited withdrawal of bi-partisan support for political gains; truth telling for Indigenous Australians (OH YES, we need this for generally, not just in schools, by the way); today’s relevance of a constitution written in 1901 when Australia was still seen by many as a British colony; the absence of laws that can challenge mis-and disinformation.
Forget about referendums, I fear the dye has been cast for any future Australian elections.
It was a simple proposition to FINALLY give First Australians recognition in the constitution and a non-binding Indigenous voice to successive governments. It’s a shame that simple message (originally supported by most) became, once again, a convenient political football.
YES… This update was written with a genuine heavy heart.
.........
ORIGINAL REVIEW
Yes, I’m a ‘yes’ voter, but was still keen to read up on the nuts and bolts of this referendum, and what led up to it.
No, I don’t ignore the other side of the debate and am happy to listen, it’s just I’m yet to hear anything credible.
Yes, I have great respect for the authors of this handbook. Yes, they advocate for the ‘yes’ vote, but they also highlight other countries (notably New Zealand and Canada) that have gone through similar constitutional changes to recognise and respect First Nations Peoples, and that they are not without challenges.
No, I don’t like the scaremongering and headlines that overuse the word ‘divisive’.
Yes, I accept there can be differences of opinion - that’s democracy, not division.
Yes, I think information pamphlets from both sides, hopefully turning up in our letterboxes soon, will be a good thing. I hope they set out their positions in a clear way to assist those still with concerns or doubts to come to a more informed decision.
With the defeat of the referendum, I can imagine this text being studied in schools for decades to come: classroom debates on political discourse; how to ‘sell’ a referendum without bi-partisan support, or the meanspirited withdrawal of bi-partisan support for political gains; truth telling for Indigenous Australians (OH YES, we need this for generally, not just in schools, by the way); today’s relevance of a constitution written in 1901 when Australia was still seen by many as a British colony; the absence of laws that can challenge mis-and disinformation.
Forget about referendums, I fear the dye has been cast for any future Australian elections.
It was a simple proposition to FINALLY give First Australians recognition in the constitution and a non-binding Indigenous voice to successive governments. It’s a shame that simple message (originally supported by most) became, once again, a convenient political football.
YES… This update was written with a genuine heavy heart.
.........
ORIGINAL REVIEW
Yes, I’m a ‘yes’ voter, but was still keen to read up on the nuts and bolts of this referendum, and what led up to it.
No, I don’t ignore the other side of the debate and am happy to listen, it’s just I’m yet to hear anything credible.
Yes, I have great respect for the authors of this handbook. Yes, they advocate for the ‘yes’ vote, but they also highlight other countries (notably New Zealand and Canada) that have gone through similar constitutional changes to recognise and respect First Nations Peoples, and that they are not without challenges.
No, I don’t like the scaremongering and headlines that overuse the word ‘divisive’.
Yes, I accept there can be differences of opinion - that’s democracy, not division.
Yes, I think information pamphlets from both sides, hopefully turning up in our letterboxes soon, will be a good thing. I hope they set out their positions in a clear way to assist those still with concerns or doubts to come to a more informed decision.
October 8, 2023
UPDATE: I see my local library has the e-book, and I hope there will be copies in libraries all over the country so everyone has a chance to have a look at it.
5★
“The Uluru Dialogues were regional, covering the entire continent and adjacent islands, and the lands of all Indigenous First Nations.”
Before the end of 2024, Australian voters will be asked to vote yes or no on amending the Australian Constitution. I imagine many people are more familiar with the American Constitution and its amendments because of the news broadcasts and films where someone on a witness stand is “pleading the fifth” and refusing to answer a question.
That’s the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution which says you don’t have to incriminate yourself.
Then there’s the popular Second Amendment “right to bear arms”. I won’t get into the controversy over the interpretation. My point is, Americans bandy around the word “amendment” with ease.
Slavery was abolished with the Thirteenth Amendment. If the US government of the day had simply legislated it, that is, passed a law abolishing slavery, a later government could have overturned it.
If a law needs a serious change, a constitutional amendment is the way to do it. For those who want a national treaty first, I respectfully suggest the Voice would give the government an official, permanent representative body to negotiate with. Aboriginal parliamentarians represent their parties and their local constituents of all backgrounds, and they aren’t guaranteed a seat.
About the proposed Voice to Parliament, this handbook explains everything simply and clearly with additional personal comments from the authors’ own experiences.
Thomas Mayo - their book - Kerry O'Brien
Thomas Mayo (formerly known as Thomas Mayor) is a Torres Strait Islander man, born on Larrakia country in Darwin, NT. He was part of the Uluru National Constitutional Convention in 2017, and has been carrying the canvas of the Uluru Statement from the Heart around the country, discussing and explaining and answering questions.
He seems untiring. His knowledge of the issue seems endless, and he never sounds exasperated, which is amazing to me.
If you listen to any of the links I provide below, you will enjoy hearing this quietly spoken, thoughtful man talk about this campaign and its history. When anyone has a question, he seems pleased to have been asked and happy to explain the answer calmly and intelligently.
Kerry O’Brien is one of Australia’s most highly regarded journalists with countless awards and a deep interest in indigenous affairs. He has earned the respect of viewers and readers for decades, as he’s covered national and foreign affairs. I have missed seeing and hearing his wise reports.
When doing research for this book, he said:
“I guess I knew where to look, and I knew what I was looking for, because I’ve lived it… I’ve reported on so much of that history, certainly since the 67 referendum.”
I won’t attempt to summarise anything, but I’ll add a few bits to give you an idea of what it’s like. This is from a section by Thomas Mayo.
“WHAT IS THE PROPOSED REFERENDUM QUESTION?
‘A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. DO YOU APPROVE THIS PROPOSED ALTERATION?’
This is the proposed question at the time this book went to print. It might change slightly before the referendum.”
Each author has written the background and history leading up to this. Mayo covers indigenous issues, and O’Brien discusses the attitudes and politics about Australia’s First Nations Peoples since colonisation. For such a small book, it is surprisingly thorough and eye-opening.
For a very long time, assimilation was the aim. In the same way migrants have been encouraged to become “Aussie”, the new Australian government tried to make Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people become “white”. They removed Aboriginal children who had a white parent and sent the girls to white households to be trained as domestic servants and the boys to farms.
These were the Stolen Generations, and it was still going on as recently as 1969, when laws were changed, but the effect lingers on, with so many people having no idea where or to whom they belong.
In 1971, how were First Nations People being represented? Like this.
When [Prime Minister William] McMahon named another enthusiastic assimilationist, Peter Howson, as his new Minister for the Environment, Aborigines (sic) and the Arts, an ungrateful Howson reportedly snarled to a colleague that ‘The little bastard [McMahon] gave me trees, boongs and poofters.’”
That was fifty years ago, but plenty of people still think like this and talk like this today. And they vote. And I’m sure some of them are in parliaments around the country.
First Nations Peoples are being recognised around the world as exactly that – the first nations who belonged to a place. Not owned. Belonged to. It took until 1967 to amend the constitution to include them as citizens.
“Part V – Powers of the Parliament
51. Legislative powers of the Parliament
The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to:
…
(xxvi)[14] the people of any race for whom it is deemed necessary to make special laws;”
. . .
[Footnote 14]. Section 51 (xxvi) was amended by the ‘Constitution Alteration (Aboriginals) 1967,’ and previously read as follows:
“(xxvi) the people of any race, other than the aboriginal race in any State, for whom it is deemed necessary to make special laws;”
NOTE: The government can still make laws for people of any race at their discretion. That is known as the Race Power.
If someone was going to make a law about you and your family, wouldn’t you want to have a discussion about it? That’s what the Voice is, on a larger scale. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are Australia’s first family.
Thomas Mayo writes:
“HOW WOULD THE CONSTITUTION CHANGE IF THE REFERENDUM SUCCEEDS?
If the referendum succeeds, the words below are expected to be inserted in a new section in the Constitution. This wording may be changed through the parliamentary process and will be available to all Australians before they vote at the referendum.
‘(My explanations in italics. TM)’
Chapter IX: Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
I haven’t done this book justice at all. It is so much more than dry facts. It’s a really interesting read, even if you just want to know some Australian history.
I strongly recommend that anyone interested in the subject, whether or not you’re a voter, listen to the authors speak and answer questions. They are such good guys!
Thomas Mayo: Why Peter Dutton is wrong about the Voice.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia...
The Voice to Parliament Handbook | Webinar with Thomas Mayo & Kerry O’Brien
The Australia Institute presented this webinar, available on their website and on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOwIe...
To help answer questions, a printable conversation guide is available at:
yes23.com.au/resources
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
This is where I copied the excerpts from the Australian Constitution. You can also download it free from Parliament as a PDF document.
https://www.aph.gov.au/-/media/05_Abo...
I haven't yet read O'Brien's memoir, but I will: Kerry O'Brien, A Memoir
(great photo of Kerry)
5★
“The Uluru Dialogues were regional, covering the entire continent and adjacent islands, and the lands of all Indigenous First Nations.”
Before the end of 2024, Australian voters will be asked to vote yes or no on amending the Australian Constitution. I imagine many people are more familiar with the American Constitution and its amendments because of the news broadcasts and films where someone on a witness stand is “pleading the fifth” and refusing to answer a question.
That’s the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution which says you don’t have to incriminate yourself.
Then there’s the popular Second Amendment “right to bear arms”. I won’t get into the controversy over the interpretation. My point is, Americans bandy around the word “amendment” with ease.
Slavery was abolished with the Thirteenth Amendment. If the US government of the day had simply legislated it, that is, passed a law abolishing slavery, a later government could have overturned it.
If a law needs a serious change, a constitutional amendment is the way to do it. For those who want a national treaty first, I respectfully suggest the Voice would give the government an official, permanent representative body to negotiate with. Aboriginal parliamentarians represent their parties and their local constituents of all backgrounds, and they aren’t guaranteed a seat.
About the proposed Voice to Parliament, this handbook explains everything simply and clearly with additional personal comments from the authors’ own experiences.
Thomas Mayo - their book - Kerry O'Brien
Thomas Mayo (formerly known as Thomas Mayor) is a Torres Strait Islander man, born on Larrakia country in Darwin, NT. He was part of the Uluru National Constitutional Convention in 2017, and has been carrying the canvas of the Uluru Statement from the Heart around the country, discussing and explaining and answering questions.
He seems untiring. His knowledge of the issue seems endless, and he never sounds exasperated, which is amazing to me.
If you listen to any of the links I provide below, you will enjoy hearing this quietly spoken, thoughtful man talk about this campaign and its history. When anyone has a question, he seems pleased to have been asked and happy to explain the answer calmly and intelligently.
Kerry O’Brien is one of Australia’s most highly regarded journalists with countless awards and a deep interest in indigenous affairs. He has earned the respect of viewers and readers for decades, as he’s covered national and foreign affairs. I have missed seeing and hearing his wise reports.
When doing research for this book, he said:
“I guess I knew where to look, and I knew what I was looking for, because I’ve lived it… I’ve reported on so much of that history, certainly since the 67 referendum.”
I won’t attempt to summarise anything, but I’ll add a few bits to give you an idea of what it’s like. This is from a section by Thomas Mayo.
“WHAT IS THE PROPOSED REFERENDUM QUESTION?
‘A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. DO YOU APPROVE THIS PROPOSED ALTERATION?’
This is the proposed question at the time this book went to print. It might change slightly before the referendum.”
Each author has written the background and history leading up to this. Mayo covers indigenous issues, and O’Brien discusses the attitudes and politics about Australia’s First Nations Peoples since colonisation. For such a small book, it is surprisingly thorough and eye-opening.
For a very long time, assimilation was the aim. In the same way migrants have been encouraged to become “Aussie”, the new Australian government tried to make Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people become “white”. They removed Aboriginal children who had a white parent and sent the girls to white households to be trained as domestic servants and the boys to farms.
These were the Stolen Generations, and it was still going on as recently as 1969, when laws were changed, but the effect lingers on, with so many people having no idea where or to whom they belong.
In 1971, how were First Nations People being represented? Like this.
When [Prime Minister William] McMahon named another enthusiastic assimilationist, Peter Howson, as his new Minister for the Environment, Aborigines (sic) and the Arts, an ungrateful Howson reportedly snarled to a colleague that ‘The little bastard [McMahon] gave me trees, boongs and poofters.’”
That was fifty years ago, but plenty of people still think like this and talk like this today. And they vote. And I’m sure some of them are in parliaments around the country.
First Nations Peoples are being recognised around the world as exactly that – the first nations who belonged to a place. Not owned. Belonged to. It took until 1967 to amend the constitution to include them as citizens.
FROM THE CURRENT CONSTITUTION:
“Part V – Powers of the Parliament
51. Legislative powers of the Parliament
The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to:
…
(xxvi)[14] the people of any race for whom it is deemed necessary to make special laws;”
. . .
[Footnote 14]. Section 51 (xxvi) was amended by the ‘Constitution Alteration (Aboriginals) 1967,’ and previously read as follows:
“(xxvi) the people of any race, other than the aboriginal race in any State, for whom it is deemed necessary to make special laws;”
NOTE: The government can still make laws for people of any race at their discretion. That is known as the Race Power.
If someone was going to make a law about you and your family, wouldn’t you want to have a discussion about it? That’s what the Voice is, on a larger scale. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are Australia’s first family.
Thomas Mayo writes:
“HOW WOULD THE CONSTITUTION CHANGE IF THE REFERENDUM SUCCEEDS?
If the referendum succeeds, the words below are expected to be inserted in a new section in the Constitution. This wording may be changed through the parliamentary process and will be available to all Australians before they vote at the referendum.
‘(My explanations in italics. TM)’
Chapter IX: Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
129. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:
(i) there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
‘(This sections establishes the requirement for the Parliament to set up the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.)’
(ii) the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
‘(This section establishes that the Voice may express its views to the Parliament and government about Indigenous issues with no right to veto.)’
(iii) the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.
‘(This section gives the Parliament the power to make laws relating to the Voice, including how its representations are treated. It provides the flexibility for the Voice to improve with the needs of the people, as all institutions should do. The laws that Parliament makes about the Voice are matters relating to Indigenous peoples, so any changes will be subject to the Voice’s advice.)’”
I haven’t done this book justice at all. It is so much more than dry facts. It’s a really interesting read, even if you just want to know some Australian history.
I strongly recommend that anyone interested in the subject, whether or not you’re a voter, listen to the authors speak and answer questions. They are such good guys!
Thomas Mayo: Why Peter Dutton is wrong about the Voice.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia...
The Voice to Parliament Handbook | Webinar with Thomas Mayo & Kerry O’Brien
The Australia Institute presented this webinar, available on their website and on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOwIe...
To help answer questions, a printable conversation guide is available at:
yes23.com.au/resources
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
This is where I copied the excerpts from the Australian Constitution. You can also download it free from Parliament as a PDF document.
https://www.aph.gov.au/-/media/05_Abo...
I haven't yet read O'Brien's memoir, but I will: Kerry O'Brien, A Memoir
(great photo of Kerry)
May 29, 2023
If you’re voting Yes read this and share it.
If you’re voting No, then read this and think hard. There are so many reasons to vote Yes and this will give you the lowdown.
Be on the right side of history.
If you’re voting No, then read this and think hard. There are so many reasons to vote Yes and this will give you the lowdown.
Be on the right side of history.
June 25, 2023
Five big stars and a resounding ‘YES’.
September 11, 2023
Concise, informative, and easy to digest. I may be a little biased as a pre-determined yes voter, but I believe this is a must read.
May 31, 2023
An incredible source of clarity. Short and sharp, it gets right to the point and addresses all possible queries and concerns. I’ll be lending out my (heavily tabbed) copy to friends and family before the referendum.
September 11, 2023
"The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need" serves as a compelling endorsement for the "Yes" campaign in Australia's 2023 constitutional referendum. Authored by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, this book powerfully advocates for recognising Indigenous Australians and, emphasising the urgent need for change to uphold justice and address its implementation and management.
Central to the book is the concept of "The Voice," a pivotal proposal originating from the "Uluru Statement from the Heart," issued by delegates at the First Nations National Constitutional Convention in 2017. This proposal would establish a constitutional mechanism for Indigenous Australians to legally communicate to Government and the Parliament in Australia.
Kerry O'Brien contributes valuable insights by meticulously dissecting past endeavours at Indigenous recognition and consultation, highlighting their shortcomings due to the absence of constitutional backing. The authors' approach makes this handbook an invaluable resource for supporters of the referendum, offering comprehensive and easily digestible information.
The authors' direct and thorough writing style ensures that readers are well-informed, making this book an exceptional asset in championing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the cause of constitutional reform in Australia. In sum, it's a well-crafted, indispensable guide for those dedicated to effecting meaningful change.
Central to the book is the concept of "The Voice," a pivotal proposal originating from the "Uluru Statement from the Heart," issued by delegates at the First Nations National Constitutional Convention in 2017. This proposal would establish a constitutional mechanism for Indigenous Australians to legally communicate to Government and the Parliament in Australia.
Kerry O'Brien contributes valuable insights by meticulously dissecting past endeavours at Indigenous recognition and consultation, highlighting their shortcomings due to the absence of constitutional backing. The authors' approach makes this handbook an invaluable resource for supporters of the referendum, offering comprehensive and easily digestible information.
The authors' direct and thorough writing style ensures that readers are well-informed, making this book an exceptional asset in championing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the cause of constitutional reform in Australia. In sum, it's a well-crafted, indispensable guide for those dedicated to effecting meaningful change.
July 25, 2023
Detailed and informative, bundled in a tight package. Essential reading if you want to be informed prior to voting on the voice.
Also, everyday I have more and more things to blame John Howard for.
Also, everyday I have more and more things to blame John Howard for.
June 30, 2023
Incredibly informative, easy to understand, and quick to read. Answered all the questions I had going into the book, and then some. Would recommend to anyone who wants to know more about the Voice before the upcoming referendum.
Borrowed from Lizzy’s aunt, trip book #8
Borrowed from Lizzy’s aunt, trip book #8
July 5, 2023
Short and sweet, this handbook answered all up questions and made me feel amor better prepared for the upcoming referendum.
October 13, 2023
Finished this book just in time. Slamming down the biggest, fattest, juiciest 5 stars. Concise, easy to read and honest straight up facts. #voteyes
July 21, 2023
Reader friendly. I had little idea of what we were supposed to be voting about with most of the media coverage being bipartisan nonsense. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be agreeing with Hansen or Spud and after reading this book (and “no” arguments online), I’m now certain of it.
It’s a hard YES from me.
It’s a hard YES from me.
July 16, 2023
Clear exposition of what the referendum is asking for and, crucially, what it is not asking for.
Excellent.
Excellent.
Read
July 8, 2023I'm not really sure how you can rate a book like this - but I encourage every Australian to read it as part of being informed around the referendum this year. It is an important vote and we should all try to read and listen to as many different points of view as possible.
September 4, 2023
Happy to lend to anyone! This book presents the case for voting ‘yes’ really clearly, succinctly and accessibly. Personally I don’t agree with ‘don’t know, vote no’ and found this book helpful to inform me on different aspects of the voice proposal, and the history of the struggle for a voice, to consider when deciding how to vote in the imminent referendum.
August 21, 2023
A book written with chapters from an Aboriginal elder and chapters from a journalist whose heritage is from those who came to the land more recently. Helps give insight to the history of our nation, plus clarifying what the 1967 actually was about. (No it was not to give the vote, but to include the Aboriginal community in the Census). Amazing to think that the Census prior to 1967 did not include figures for Aboriginal population of Australia.
Aspects of the Uluru statement and how it came about.
This is a vote discussion, but for anyone who thoroughly considers before voting, this is worth reading.
Aspects of the Uluru statement and how it came about.
This is a vote discussion, but for anyone who thoroughly considers before voting, this is worth reading.
Read
October 4, 2023A concise and largely helpful book that clarified some of the history leading up to the Voice referendum, and addressed some misconceptions that I had. The authors fall clearly towards one camp, but effectively convey their reasoning. I would recommend this as a source for better understanding a significant perspective on the referendum. A critique is that occasionally points are glossed over by resorting to pathos (e.g. most notably, a question from the FAQ "Why are some Indigenous people not supporting a Voice to Parliament" was answered in the vein of 'you can't get such a huge body of people to agree 100% of the time' without trying to acknowledge diverse perspectives)
September 2, 2023
What a great little book. Every Australian should read it before the referendum. It includes the Uluru Statement - hardly something to fear - and an easy to read FAQ section about what the Voice is and isn’t.
I was reading it as someone already committed to supporting the Indigenous Voice to Parliament but it provided more evidence for my position. In particular, the examples of how Indigenous engagement improves service eg Koori Court, are good to know about. Highly recommend.
I was reading it as someone already committed to supporting the Indigenous Voice to Parliament but it provided more evidence for my position. In particular, the examples of how Indigenous engagement improves service eg Koori Court, are good to know about. Highly recommend.
May 23, 2023
The Voice referendum is an opportunity for all Australians to embrace 60,000+ years of culture, wisdom and belonging to country and finally bring this multi-cultural nation together as one people.
This book offers a succinct way to understand the truth about The Voice in order to make up your own mind about how you will vote.
Please read it before making up your mind based on misinformation and/or prejudiced opinion.
This book offers a succinct way to understand the truth about The Voice in order to make up your own mind about how you will vote.
Please read it before making up your mind based on misinformation and/or prejudiced opinion.
June 29, 2023
Always planned to vote yes but I like to know exactly what my vote means
May 17, 2023
Now two rivers run their course
Separated for so long
I'm dreaming of a brighter day
When the waters will be one
-Yothu Yindi
The result is, just vote yes. It is past time.
Separated for so long
I'm dreaming of a brighter day
When the waters will be one
-Yothu Yindi
The result is, just vote yes. It is past time.
September 12, 2023
This books focuses on a few, small points that most people aren’t in disagreement with and avoids bringing up the most contentious issues with the Uluṟu statement and what the voice will really mean for Australia constitutionally.
There isn’t a lot of politics in the book so it stays neutral on that front but the clear misdirection from the main issues is obvious. I was looking for clarification and to hear that I shouldn’t be concerned about these things but instead it just completely avoided everything the no camp has been reasonably asking for clarity on.
In a moment where the majority of the country doesn’t want this vote, the main supporters are brushing of the serious issues, The government is insistent on spending $450million on a vote campaign no one wants whilst the majority of Australians suffer through a cost of living crisis, this book is a bellweather for the apathy of the Canberra elite.
This book will go down in the history on the timeline of how a few foolish people ruined the real opportunities and potential for the indigenous people.
There isn’t a lot of politics in the book so it stays neutral on that front but the clear misdirection from the main issues is obvious. I was looking for clarification and to hear that I shouldn’t be concerned about these things but instead it just completely avoided everything the no camp has been reasonably asking for clarity on.
In a moment where the majority of the country doesn’t want this vote, the main supporters are brushing of the serious issues, The government is insistent on spending $450million on a vote campaign no one wants whilst the majority of Australians suffer through a cost of living crisis, this book is a bellweather for the apathy of the Canberra elite.
This book will go down in the history on the timeline of how a few foolish people ruined the real opportunities and potential for the indigenous people.
July 25, 2023
I was already inclined to vote Yes in the referendum, however I wanted to answers to the questions that the No party are raising. This little book clearly lays out the background for the Yes vote, the particulars and the answers to the questions being asked by the No party. Excellent read.
July 24, 2023
A worthwhile read for legitimate background information to understand the value of voting yes for the Voice and to understand what the voice can and cannot influence.
August 15, 2023
Instead of "Just Vote No If You Are Not Sure", every Australian eligible to vote at the upcoming referendum should read this book if they are not sure why they should vote Yes.
Read the book. Let it stew for a little while to give your brain the chance to process. Discuss with other people if anything is still unclear. After all that, if you still believe in voting No, then go with your heart.
I gave the book 4/5 because a few of the chapters were still confusing to me.
If you only have time to read one chapter, I would recommend the Q&A section in Chapter 5. It should answer most if not all your questions. For the history of what lead to this referendum, read the first few chapters.
Below are what I got out of the book.
Why does indigenous Australians needs a Voice in the Constitution?
- Australian government has a long history of making social policies that negatively affects Aboriginal people. The Voice to Parliament would allow Aboriginal people to have input into new law and policies that would affect them.
Why not just introduce new laws that support Aboriginal people?
- Laws can change depending on the government of the day. It's not so easy to amend the constitution.
I cannot vote Yes because I have not been given all the details.
- The details will be work out later by the appropriate people. When you go to the store to order a cake, do you know all the ingredients in the cake, how it was made and who made it? As an average voter, Cake or No Cake is all you need to decide.
Read the book for answers about land rights, treaties, what the Voice can/can't do etc...
Read the book. Let it stew for a little while to give your brain the chance to process. Discuss with other people if anything is still unclear. After all that, if you still believe in voting No, then go with your heart.
I gave the book 4/5 because a few of the chapters were still confusing to me.
If you only have time to read one chapter, I would recommend the Q&A section in Chapter 5. It should answer most if not all your questions. For the history of what lead to this referendum, read the first few chapters.
Below are what I got out of the book.
Why does indigenous Australians needs a Voice in the Constitution?
- Australian government has a long history of making social policies that negatively affects Aboriginal people. The Voice to Parliament would allow Aboriginal people to have input into new law and policies that would affect them.
Why not just introduce new laws that support Aboriginal people?
- Laws can change depending on the government of the day. It's not so easy to amend the constitution.
I cannot vote Yes because I have not been given all the details.
- The details will be work out later by the appropriate people. When you go to the store to order a cake, do you know all the ingredients in the cake, how it was made and who made it? As an average voter, Cake or No Cake is all you need to decide.
Read the book for answers about land rights, treaties, what the Voice can/can't do etc...
July 8, 2023
This is a must read title. I had not planned on reading it until it was recommended by a friend. It has already proved helpful in discussions about the referendum as it is focused on accurate information and not speculation. I have suggested it to others too. It is short and pithy. We can't afford to stuff up the referendum. We need to encourage people to vote yes, and this book can help you talk with friends and family about this topic, or you can give it to people to read for themselves or suggest they borrow it from their public library (which is what I did).
October 29, 2023
I read majority of this book after the referendum failed, and it broke my heart. It boggles me how anyone would vote no, particularly when they had the to opportunity to read something like this, which outlines every possible reason to vote yes!! It is a very detailed and easy to read book, which I would suggest everyone read, even post referendum.
August 6, 2023
Short, concise but packed with so much information and respect. If you need to know more about the Voice, this is the book to choose. Made me angry at the misinformation being spread.
August 26, 2023
A really concise explanation of the voice. I implore all Australians to read this and pass it on to others.
September 11, 2023
Easy to understand & informative
Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews