‘The Voice’ Referendum: How will you decide?

Australia stands at the precipice of a historic decision on 14 October, the outcome of which could shape the future of communities across the country. The debate over ‘The Voice’ referendum has been intense, with passionate arguments on both sides. In this pivotal moment, how do we as Christians make a decision? We want to give you the best opportunity to prayerfully make an informed decision by highlighting opinions from both sides of the conversation.

Prayer is Key

The choice facing Australians in the upcoming referendum is significant, and one where your choice matters. We encourage you to pray for wisdom which God promises to gives generously James 1:5 as you consider the long-term implications for our country. Prayerfully consider both perspectives as you prepare to cast your vote and make a choice that is both informed and based in love John 13:34.

THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO CONSIDER

Two prominent voices that have played a crucial role in creating awareness around ‘The Voice’ are Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Noel Pearson. Here we shed some light on their vision for the future based on recent podcast interview with Dwayne Jeffries. You can also read the full transcripts of the interviews below.

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price voices her concerns about ‘The Voice’ referendum, arguing that it may inadvertently lead to further divisions among Australians. She fears that the proposed structure could entrench separatism and hinder the agency of Indigenous communities. Senator Price emphasizes the importance of targeting efforts toward the most marginalized communities, particularly those in remote areas, where issues like addiction and violence persist. Her call for accountability within existing structures and bureaucracies reflects her belief in the need to address these challenges head-on. She told Dwayne:

“I would like to fix the problem – the system that currently exists – and provide more accountability measures going forward. I just don’t think we’ve done enough of that well enough, and creating a whole new very expensive bureaucracy, and slapping it over the top of all of that that currently exists, I don’t believe is the way forward.”

Price’s PERSPECTIVE:

Unclear proposal: Critics raise concerns about the lack of clarity surrounding ‘The Voice’ leaving voters uncertain about its practical implications.
Potential for division: There are fears that ‘The Voice’ could perpetuate separatism and hinder efforts to create a unified, equal society.
Role of existing structures: Some argue that existing structures and bureaucracies should be improved and made more accountable, rather than creating a new system.

Noel Pearson in contrast, sees ‘The Voice’ as an essential step toward empowering Indigenous communities and redressing historical injustices. He argues that the voice would provide Indigenous Australians with a platform to influence policies that directly affect their lives. Pearson acknowledges the historical legacy of dispossession and the need to address it through meaningful representation. He envisions “The Voice” as a means to bring about collaborative policy-making rather than a move toward separatism. He said:

“It is crucial to the empowerment process that we be able to make representations, give good advice, so that we get better policies. And, if we get better policies, and better response from government, we’ll get better outcomes.”

Pearson’s PERSPECTIVE:

Empowerment: ‘The Voice’ referendum offers Indigenous Australians a platform to influence policies directly affecting their communities, empowering them to have a say in their own future.
Addressing historical injustices: Supporters argue that ‘The Voice’ is a step toward rectifying historical wrongs, acknowledging Indigenous people as the first peoples of Australia.
Collaborative policy-making: It promotes collaborative policy-making, bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives for more effective solutions.

Want to find out more? Listen or read both interviews below.