The Voice referendum: What happens next?

IT’S Referendum Day this Saturday, October 14 and everyone has got to vote.

Most people have decided, for their own reasons, which way they are going to go.

But, one question remains: What happens next, regardless of whether you vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’?

If the ‘Yes’ vote gets up, we know the intention is to establish a body to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice that may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

It will be up to the Parliament, we’re told, to make laws with respect to Voice group, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.

But what then?

Do we take it on trust that the government will get it right?

So far, they haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory addressing the health, welfare and social issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

What happens if the ‘No’ vote gets up?

A government that wasn’t playing politics on this, and a Prime Minister that wasn’t looking for his Kevin Rudd sorry moment, would be able to tell us.

The fact is, that if it’s the best strategy for addressing the pressing issues being faced by our First Nation’s People, that a Voice advisory group be formed, to assist the government, then they should go ahead and set it up anyway, regardless of the outcome of the referendum.

If that ship has sailed, the government needs to redouble its efforts, in consultation with indigenous leaders, to make serious progress on the health, education, poverty, social housing and other issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

And yes or no, the $364.6 million it has cost to fight this referendum would have made a good start.

Of course, the government does have one or two other pressing issues on its plate: Addressing climate change and implementing a sustainable and clean energy transition; ensuring health care, aged care and childcare are affordable, properly staffed and resourced; managing immigration and border security; supporting partnerships with our neighbours; and enhancing national security and defence capabilities; while fixing education, and funding infrastructure development.

The good news is that the vast majority of people in Australia already support recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia, which this whole question was supposed to be about.