Make a real difference

MUCH has been said recently on the referendum for the voice, yet I have not heard one yes voter say exactly how it will help those on the remote communities that need it most.

As someone who has worked on communities for over 20 years, 24 extra voices will not make any difference to those on the communities.

Already there is the ‘National Indigenous Australian Agency’ (NIAA) which works to recognise First Nations communities to make sure that policies, programs and services suit their needs.

There is ‘Empowered Communities’ that represents 10 region areas, which focus on local and regional place for place-based development. ‘We come together as leaders from ten regions, across urban, regional and remote Australia to drive change.’

And there are hundreds of other organisations already.

If this was a fix, why wasn’t it legislated 18 months ago and then a referendum held at the next election. Would have saved millions. Why haven’t all the corporations donating millions just given it to the communities, and with all the government spending, just think of difference it would have made to those that need it.

Another voice will not make any difference to the domestic violence, the suicides, foetal alcohol syndrome, alcoholism, gambling, drugs, child abuse, health, education and jobs.

What is needed is an audit, accountability as to where all the funds go and what they are used for.

In 2014 we built a $12 million aged care facility in Warmun – google abc.net.au Warmun aged care – a building that would fit perfectly next to the opera house. It won global awards, but as of February 2023 the facility remains unused.

All the millions spent on this is an example of money spent that does not get down to where it is needed. 

How can our PM expect us to vote on a change to our constitution, allegedly one page (I have read 26 pages) when he presented a 36-page report on AUKUS to the ALP conference and Tony Burke presented 269-page Bill plus over 500 page MOU to parliament on the new IR laws, yet one page to change constitution, go figure.

Just before you cast your vote ask yourself, would you sign a consent form with your surgeon, without it being clearly defined what he is operating on, repairing, removing or amputating and on same principle would you sign a cheque without the amount or buy a house unseen?

Name withheld