Eminent barrister, former WA governor and awarded philanthropist Malcolm McCusker has pointed out the questions he believes need considering before the Voice referendum on October 14.
“The proposed (amendment) is very short on detail, you may well think. That is undeniable,” Mr McCusker has said.
“Many have said they don’t understand what is intended or meant by ‘the Voice’. Fifteen questions have been publicly put to the PM.
“Those questions are all, in my opinion, reasonable. They have not been answered.”
Here are those questions, put to Anthony Albanese.
1. Who will be eligible to serve on the body?
2. What are the prerequisites for nomination?
3. Will the government clarify the definition of Aboriginality to determine who can serve on the body?
4. How will members be elected, chosen or appointed?
5. How many people will make up the body?
6. How much will it cost taxpayers annually?
7. What are its functions and powers?
8. Is it purely advisory, or will it have decision-making capabilities?
9. Who will oversee the body and ensure it is accountable?
10. If needed, can the body be dissolved and reconstituted in extraordinary circumstances?
11. How will the government ensure that the body includes those who still need to get a platform in Australian public life?
12. How will it interact with the Closing of the Gap process?
13. Will the government rule out using the Voice to negotiate any national treaty?
14. Will the government commit to local and regional Voices, as recommended in the report on the co-design process led by Tom Calma and Marcia Langton?
15. If not, how will it [the government] effectively address the real issues that impact people’s lives daily on the ground in the community?