"The media is going to need to step up, because nothing will stop the “No” campaign from stoking conspiracies. "
https://www.themonthly.com.au/the-politics/rachel-withers/2023/09/12/unfair-australia
#AusPol #VoiceToParliament

@bastardsheep
I have a feeling that we're going to learn some lessons. Many of them will be nasty.
#AusPol #VoiceToParliament #Yes23

@gwit
There is a cohort which views the Liberal Party (and even the Nationals) as not far enough to the Right. I've seen it argued by the likes of Credlin that the reason Labor won the last election was that the Coalition was too moderate.
#Auspol #VoiceToParliament

If you don't know...explore the many bits of information Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have provided for over 6 years.

#VoiceToParliament❤️💛🖤
#UluruStatementFromTheHeart

https://ulurustatement.org/training/

@gwit
"Communist" has become one of the terms that some people spray around to decry anything that they don't like. "Woke" and "virtue signalling" also feature prominently. "Australian values" seems to be trending.
#AusPol #VoiceToParliament

On Saturday, I was bemused to see a bunch of older Australians waving placards about full-term abortions and 15-minute cities in my regional city. They were wearing "Australia One" tee shirts, so I Googled it. 😱
🤔
I really can't think of anything to say.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/950642862921772/posts/975224063796985/
#AusPol #VoiceToParliament

Much of the influence of these voices upon parliamentarians occurs outwith public hearing, yet these various voices-to-parliament also work closely with their accompanying megaphones-to-public, enjoying the luxury of shaping public discourse every day on almost every matter they care to focus on (including, of course, this very referendum - which, in the hypothetical absence of #Murdoch media, would undoubtedly be on course to comfortable affirmation, rather than its current trajectory towards rejection).

And whatever may be theoretically the case constitutionally or legally, practically, in terms of the exercise of functional political power, #Westminster parliamentary systems have shown precious little ability to abolish or even effectively regulate such voices (not least because one major political party was founded to be the vehicle for these very voices).

#Indigenous #VoiceToParliament

One of the complaints levelled against the Indigenous #VoiceToParliament is that the proposed #Voice will institutionalise unequal access to parliamentary attention, with some people having more avenues to exercise influence than others.

This has typically struck me as either somewhat clueless or (sometimes) in bad faith.

The fact is that there already exist a number of institutionally-enshrined "voices" creating wildly unequal access to parliament and executive government. The last week's focus from the federal Opposition in parliament has been highlighting how frequently the voice of #Qantas gets heeded, for instance. Whereas when it comes to, say, the #MineralsCouncilAustralia or Rupert #Murdoch, not only can they get a minister's ear more or less whenever they like, but their approval or disapproval often makes or breaks party leaders.

Works for me.
David Pope cartoon from "The Echidna" 12 September 2023.
#AusPol #VoiceToParliament

What, exactly, are you likening to the Voice @Neil1808 and how exactly is it like the Voice? Do you see that disingenuous misrepresentation deepens scepticism?
@auscandoc @BlahBlah @mackayim2022
#Auspol #VoiceToParliament

Apparently, 'Yes' supporters are Communists. 😑 I've seen it argued that 'No' supporters are "the good guys", standing up for Australian values. 🦸‍♂️

This is from the Facebook group "The Voice 2023 - Yes or No", the admins of which have, since the writ was issued, grown quicker at shutting down anyone who posts anything that doesn't support the 'No' case.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/950642862921772
#Auspol #VoiceToParliament

@DropBear @auscandoc @BlahBlah @mackayim2022

Yes. You say you want an idea that has failed repeatedly to be put in the constitution!

Do you understand my scepticism:?

#Auspol #VoiceToParliament

You say that you hope for solutions @Neil1808 while arguing for endless repeats of what has not provided solutions. Do you understand my scepticism?
@auscandoc @BlahBlah @mackayim2022
#VoiceToParliament #Auspol

The images below are from Facebook, so I can't vouch for them, but the story rings true from my experience. The article reportedly appears in today's (11 September 2023) Costello newspapers.

'Yes' and 'No' are different realities, it seems.
#AusPol #VoiceToParliament

Congratulations @Neil1808 You've just argued for the abolition of Australia's system of government!

Winston Churchill has been quoted as saying that Democracy is the worst form of government - except for all the others that we've tried. Something similar can be said of the Voice. Nobody's saying that it's perfect. Nobody's giving guarantees. To pretend that those are issues is disingenuous.
@auscandoc @BlahBlah @mackayim2022
#VoiceToParliament #Auspol

The Voice is just one front in the culture wars, it seems.
https://twitter.com/RonniSalt/status/1701226392942460991
#AusPol #VoiceToParliament #Referendum2023 #Yes23

@DropBear @auscandoc @BlahBlah @mackayim2022

I'm saying that, in practice, upper levels won't listen to those below them (There'll be a lot of local issues, trivial matters & anything important gets lost in the flood.)

MPs are supposed to represent their constituents but how often do they listen to what they want before making a decision?

#VoiceToParliament #Auspol

@Neil1808
"I'd support another attempt to solve the problems through a legislated voice". In other words, "white man knows best". Or "I really don't want a solution. What I want is another failure. I want the status quo to prevail."

I reckon it's time to put aside the white superiority complex and listen for a change.

"If you visit the camps round Alice". Are you saying that the Voice cannot possibly listen to those people? "White man knows best". Again.

@auscandoc @BlahBlah @mackayim2022
#AusPol #Referendum2023 #Yes23 #VoiceToParliament

@ApaulD
The issue is not so much the "abusive people". In this context, my vote doesn't matter much. What matters is the silent onlookers.

How might they interpret: "Just keep mouth shut, smile, nod"? Silence can be interpreted as assent. What is the potential impact on the referendum vote of seeming acquiescence by 'Yes' proponents?
@msdropbear42
#AusPol #VoiceToParliament #Yes23

@auscandoc @BlahBlah @mackayim2022
The Voice to Parliament may now be supported by the majority of aboriginal Australians because they actually believe people will listen to their suggestions.

If you visit the camps round Alice & ask what would help them then I doubt they'd say they need more meetings around Australia.

The #VoiceToParliament is not exactly the same as ATSIC & its predecessors but the proposal is substantially the same as all the failed approaches.

#auspol