Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum: What do our South West MPs think?

It is a debate which is set to be the talk of the town over the next few weeks.

On October 14, voters will be asked if they support the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian constitution.

It is the first time in nearly 25 years the public has been asked to vote in a referendum.

With the vote now one month away, we have asked politicians representing the South West at a State and Federal level what their views are on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Don Punch

Bunbury MLA, Labor

Do you support the Voice? YES

I support the creation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice through changes to the Australian Constitution. I believe it is a fair and just response to address the issues creating the disadvantage experienced by First Nations people, and it comes without risk or detriment for the broader community. The Voice is simply about advice to inform better decision making, leading to better results. Everyone benefits when we achieve better results in our communities. We have everything to gain from listening and nothing to lose, and at the end of the day that is all the Voice is about, listening to Aboriginal people and matters that affect them. The Parliament will still determine how we listen and what we do with the advice. The Voice does not undermine the authority of the Parliament. It’s time we started listening, and there is nothing to fear.

Nola Marino

Forrest MHR, Liberal

Do you support the Voice? NO

All of us want better outcomes for Indigenous Australians particularly for those who live in regional and remote parts of Australia. However, I don’t believe the Government’s Voice model is the answer. Every Australian should be equal under our Constitution. There are no details, it will be costly, bureaucratic and divisive which is why I encourage everyone to show respect and care throughout this process. The result of this referendum will be decided by the Australian people.

Libby Mettam

Vasse MLA, Liberal

Do you support the Voice? NO

I support recognition of Indigenous Australians in our Constitution but as I have said publicly, can no longer vote yes in the upcoming referendum due to the lack of clarity around how the Voice will work. The Labor Government has had well over 12 months to provide more details and explain how the Voice to Parliament will work to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians but have disappointingly failed to do so. As we saw with the implementation, and subsequent scrapping, of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act laws in WA, details matter. I had hoped the Prime Minister would be able to better explain how the Voice will lead to better practical outcomes, and I am disappointed he has not been able to provide those details. I recognise and respect that there are differing views in the community. Every Australian of voting age is entitled to an equal vote, and I respect Western Australians will have their own reason that informs their vote on 14 October.

Jodie Hanns

Collie-Preston MLA, Labor

Do you support the Voice? YES

I’m voting yes because I believe an Indigenous Voice will help governments make better decisions on issues impacting the lives of Indigenous kids, families and communities. I don’t want to live in a country where my life expectancy is 10 years longer, and my kids’ chances in life are better than some of my friends, just because some of my friends are Aboriginal and I am not. The Voice will provide advice to government, like many other groups currently have the opportunity to do. If governments want to make laws that relate to mining, health, or housing, we talk to miners, health workers or the construction industry. As we should. Indigenous Australians are simply asking that the same opportunity be given to them.

Robyn Clarke

Murray-Wellington MLA, Labor

Do you support the Voice? YES

I am supporting voting yes in the upcoming referendum as for 122 years, our nation’s founding document has failed to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and their more than 65,000 years of continuous connection to this vast land. This Voice will function as an independent and representative advisory body for First Nations individuals, enabling them to provide ongoing advice to the Australian Parliament and government on issues that affect them. The Voice referendum is a historic democratic opportunity for a unifying Australian moment. Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in our Constitution is the best chance this country has had to address the injustices of the past and move Australia forward for everyone, and the Voice to Parliament will give our First Nations people the opportunity to provide advice on matters affecting their communities.

Rick Wilson

O’Connor MHR, Liberal

Do you support the Voice? NO

Many Australians, including many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, see the proposed Voice as vague and unworkable. The WA Liberals, including me, played a pivotal role in shaming State Labor into scrapping its Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021. Because implementing that Act would have had the same kind of unintended consequences that the Voice may well have. Farmers, miners and others who opposed that law introduced WA to a robust debate on consultation with Indigenous people that simply has not occurred nationally with regard to the Voice. Western Australians have seen first-hand that it’s possible to reverse bad legislation, but once it’s enshrined in the Australian Constitution, it’s there forever. In remote areas of my electorate in particular, there are concerns that the Voice would be a forum for elite east coast expression only.

Jane Kelsbie

Warren-Blackwood MLA, Labor

Do you support the Voice? YES

I wholeheartedly support delivering constitutional recognition through a Voice to the Commonwealth Parliament. The referendum on 14 October is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for all Australians to stand up and make their vote count to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It’s about recognition, listening and making a practical difference to Indigenous people not only now, but into the future. By voting yes, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain. The Voice is a nationally significant campaign and one of the most important in our history. For anyone who is unsure about how to vote — please seek out the information. This can be done through locally organised forums (there are many information sessions being held in regional towns) where you can get the facts and ask questions to help make an informed decision.

Andrew Hastie

Canning MHR, Liberal

Do you support the Voice? NO

Labor’s Voice is radical, risky and divisive. Anthony Albanese’s divisive Voice would put a permanent divide right through the heart of Australia. And it would make one group of people more equal than another. We live in a diverse society, and our democracy must be fair for all Australians. We cannot atone for the past by creating a new kind of inequality — one that divides us. In our community, we are new Australians, we are seventh-generation Australians and we are first Australians. I want to see greater unity, cohesion and fairness in Australia but sadly, this Voice would permanently divide us. We all have an opportunity to be heard on October 14, and I will be voting no.