If the Voice referendum fails,

what then?

There is an article this morning in the state's newspaper by James Campbell which questions this. It is something also being questioned by others. 

Much is being said about the "bitterness and division" which will prevail if the proposal fails. Others say that a "No" vote will "simply mean more of the same". I do not believe either thing is true.

I do believe that our present Prime Minister has not handled the situation well. I do believe the wrong question is being asked. More than once I have said I believe there should have been two questions. 

There should have been a question which allowed us to "acknowledge" there were other people here before white settlement. I am not a betting person but I would have been prepared to bet on that passing and passing by an overwhelming majority.

The other question which could have been put is the idea of a "voice" in the Constitution. While I believe the first would have passed I also believe the second idea would still fail. It would fail because it is wrong.

I hope "yes" fails now. It is wrong. The psychology is wrong. I know others disagree but I see it as an insult to true indigenous people. It is telling them "you will always be in need of special consideration because you can't compete with the rest of us. We need to put this permanently into the Constitution and keep it that way." It is an absolutely humiliating idea.

I don't know what will happen after the referendum. If "Yes" wins then I have little doubt there will be unprecedented demands made. Some of those advocating for it have made it very clear they intend that. The Uluru Statement makes that clear. Whatever they have to say now they will be little concerned with health, housing, education and other welfare matters. They will believe they now have the power to demand much more and they will endeavour to use it. It is simply the way such things work.

If "No" wins then I think there might be some positive changes. There might well be an attempt to "listen" but some of those now demanding to be heard might be disappointed. There are others who also wish to be heard. They are people like the three women who, a little while back, came here to afternoon tea. They want to be heard but the very people who are now asking us to vote "Yes" are not listening to them. It does not suit their agenda of separation to have children educated in English. It does not suit their agenda to have work requirements enforced and much more.

I believe we need an inquiry, one with the powers of a Royal Commission, into where the money being spent each year has gone and is going. One part of that inquiry has to be into who is being held to be disadvantaged - the very awkward question of who is permitted to identify as "aboriginal" when additional benefits are available. It is an important question. We seem afraid to face it for fear of being called "racist" but is descent from just one great-great grandparent really sufficient? Other countries have different ways of looking at this issue. It is one we must address.

The other really important issue for an inquiry is "what is the money now being provided really being spent on?" There is obvious wastage but how much is being wasted? There have been serious issues of corruption too. I do not doubt there are more to be found. They need to be dealt with but I fear they won't be. A " Voice" won't change that. It is more likely to protect the wrong doers.

The referendum is wrong. It should never have reached this point. We need to start again.