At least 35 regional and remote community advisory groups will eventually link to a national Voice to Parliament, as the government reveals its model for the long awaited Indigenous advisory body.
According to the final report considered by government, a National Voice would provide a way for First Nations peoples to have a direct say on any national laws, policies and programs affecting them.
The Indigenous Voice Co-Design Final Report has been examining possible models with consultations and discussions taking place over the past 18 months.
Academics and report authors Marcia Langton and Tom Calma said the move is a 'natural step' for the nation.
"It is very clear that an Indigenous Voice is a necessary, pragmatic and natural step for our country as we work towards creating a better shared future for all Australians.”
The report recommended an Indigenous Voice to parliament must reflect and represent the diversity of Indigenous peoples in remote, regional and urban areas. Source: AAP Image/Paul Miller
As proposed in the 2017 landmark Uluru Statement from the Heart, the report acknowledged the calls for a constitutionally-enshrined advisory body, with fears a legislated Voice could be dismantled in future.
"Security and longevity for an Indigenous Voice were crucial elements of feedback received across the consultation process," the report stated.
"The task for government is to consider how the Indigenous Voice will be protected."
Thomas Mayor, a long-time campaigner for the Voice to Parliament, echoed those concerns.
“It's important that first a referendum is held to enable and enshrine the voice,” the Kaurareg, Kalkalgal, Erubamle man said.
“It's legislated before a referendum, we lose momentum somewhat."
“We’ll possibly see what happened to ATSIC happen where if the Voice is effective, governments will push against it and won't support a referendum," Mr Mayor cautioned.
"Or if it has its problems like all human organisations do, those problems will be amplified... in order to destroy it.”
Thomas Mayor has long advocated for a constitutionally enshrined voice to the parliament. Source: NITV News
Mr Mayor said while the report may not bring about change, as “governments choose to ignore reports all the time”, but it could provide a catalyst.
“I think the only thing that can move the dial along is the power of the people,” he said.
"We need all of the mob, all of our allies to continue to say to parliament, to politicians... that we absolutely must go to a referendum in the next term and we can win it.”
But Labor MP Linda Burney has pushed back against the report and the government's proposal.
“The process that the government has outlined is a long, winding talkfest, beginning next July,” she said.
“Who knows where things are going to be come July... The report that the government has released does not go anywhere near what the Uluru statement asked for.
“That was a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament and a Makarrata Commission to oversee agreement and treaty-making and a process of truth-telling.”
The report also recommended that local, regional and national advisory groups have equal gender representation, and should reflect and represent the diversity of Indigenous peoples in remote, regional and urban areas.
Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney says the report does not guarantee a voice enshrined in the constitution Source: AAP
"A Canberra-designed ‘one-size-fits-all’ model would not be supported... Local and Regional Voices would be community-led , community-designed and community-run," the report said.
Mr Mayor said it was a "vital" component to the Voice model that community voices are heard.
“It's absolutely vital that the model captures that need for the various perspectives to be represented,” he said.
“It's very important that we're able to hold our leaders to account as well, in the way that we elect our representatives.
“This is something that came through in the 1000s of submissions, many of the mob saying that it's really important that we’re heard on the ground, that this Voice is truly representative.”
Wunan Foundation executive chair Ian Trust agreed that regional Voices must be heard in any advisory body, but said any advisory body's success would depend on the people who were elected as representatives.
"It is going to be about leadership," he said.
"I think for this thing to really be successful, we need our people up front and at the regional level as well, who really are true leaders and willing to challenge the status quo.
"If you have people there that are just willing to go along with what's already there, then what's the point of that.
"It's about challenging the status quo and creating a better life for our people."
The proposed body would see a coalition of Indigenous elected officials from each state and territory, with an additional member to advocate for remote areas in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.
“There would also be an expectation to consult the National Voice, based on a set of principles, on a wider group of policies and laws that significantly affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” the report said.
Mr Trust said he's cautiously optimistic about the plan.
"It's an exciting development, but let's just see how it unfolds," he said.
"Hopefully we end up with something that's good for Australia and the Aboriginal people."
