Debate matters

Like Kevin Walsh (Sentinel-Times 12/4/23) I value our democracy which respects the right of others to express different opinions from each other.

So I thank him for his explanation as to why he supports the YES campaign for the Voice proposal.  

His openness is something which has been missing from the stance of some politicians, sportspeople and the local council who have voiced their support for the YES campaign without justification other than perhaps the assumption we should feel guilty for the effect of colonisation on traditional Aboriginal tribal culture.

Kevin Walsh’s more detailed explanation focuses on why he believes Aboriginals deserve affirmative action.

However, past programs have achieved a situation where Aboriginals range from those having university qualifications in medicine, law, science, journalism, as well as musicians, entertainers, tradespeople, public servants, artists and tourism operators etc. to others who find themselves in remote areas with sub-standard housing and health services while also lacking educational opportunities.

It is unclear how and which Aboriginals will benefit and what vision of those persons to be elected to give an Aboriginal Voice to Parliament will be promoted.  Also, what accountability to the taxpayer will they accept?                                                                                                                    

If one assumes that colonisation was inevitable, and that not all of today’s Aboriginals would choose the tribal life and hierarchy existing in 1788, it could be said that western technology and Australia’s actions to integrate/assimilate has not been a total disaster for Aboriginals.

Even their culture in the form of painting and music and fashion have been enhanced by western technology. 

The introduction of one language instead of approximately 250 distinct languages at the time of colonisation has also enabled Aboriginals to be involved with local and global opportunities.

Affirmative action based on a genealogical connection to inhabitants in Australia prior to colonisation by the British resembles “one Upmanship” which is inappropriate in our multicultural Society.  

Aboriginal culture holds a significant claim in terms of antiquity, but we need to honour it in the same way as we do when sharing the cultures of Australia’s British settlers in 1788 and later multicultural migrants.

I think that Kevin’s analogy linking the VOICE with the apology in regard to the latter’s effect on mainstream Australia is debatable in terms of the different complexity and potential of each of those proposals.

The comment regarding WW1 Aboriginals enlisting despite not having the right to vote needs to be taken in context of why voting rights were not considered practical around 1917.  

Rosemary Hutchinson, Inverloch