The Voice to Parliament finally

has a slim chance of being actually debated. It is only a slim chance and much of it will depend on the media deciding to actually allow it now that the Opposition has decided to oppose it.

The "Yes" campaign has had a dream run so far. Anyone daring to even suggest there might be reasons to vote "No" has been heavily criticised as "racist" and much more.  Even the serious concerns of constitutional lawyers have been met with ridicule and criticism. 

And the Opposition is not saying "No" to recognition. They are saying "No" to placing an unnecessary, racist and divisive set of words into the Constitution. 

Let me say two things here. First, if the government had decided to split the question into two parts we may have got somewhere. I believe that adding a preamble to the Constitution acknowledging there were people here before white settlement would have got overwhelming support. It would have done a great deal. 

Second, if that fails it will be because the "No" campaign has at least managed to explain the consequences of introducing a racial element into the Constitution.  I don't know anyone who is opposed to our aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people having ways to make themselves heard about the issues which directly affect them. Those opposed to the Voice are just concerned about putting those ways into the Constitution where they could have unexpected and unintended consequences. Some are even concerned it could actually hold back the very people the words are intended to help.

So far the media has allowed almost no debate. Even today the news the Opposition would be opposing the Voice was relegated to page three. The antics of a former President of another country and the sale of part of a large business empire were on the front page. There is one paragraph in the editorial - a paragraph criticising the decision. We need much more debate. If it results in a "No" vote then it will not be because people in this country are "racist". Splitting the vote into two parts would have shown otherwise.

Unless something unexpected happens in parliament over the next few weeks then we will have missed an opportunity to do good and may yet find we have done more harm.