An Indigenous Voice to Parliament

Australians will be asked to amend the constitution, installing The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. This body will have the constitutional right to comment on legislation related to First Nations.

Advocates of the legislation argue that First Nations Australians have long been ignored and presumed upon, and this process will ensure their views are heard. Further, it will create pathways for input, and help our first nations peoples feel heard; consultation also tends to increase ownership and buy-in.

Those against amending the constitution will make other points. There have already been several attempts to formalise an indigenous advisory board, and none appear to have had much impact. Why modify the constitution to do this? Will the First Nations speak with one voice? There are over 250 first nations. Does consultation always result in good suggestions? If you ask people what they need, will their recommendations be achievable? What happens if you decide not to implement some recommendations?

The ‘no’ argument seems to me to make some compelling points but will struggle at an intuitive, emotional level. A ‘no’ vote sounds like ‘no – we don’t want to hear from you’.

Whatever Australia decides, as Christians, we would wish to make some other observations. We are responsible for doing what is just (Micah 6:8). The Christian view of justice includes sharing your coat with the naked, both individually and corporately (Matt 5:40). Justice is connected to ‘rights’ – receiving what is fair. But rights are also related to duties and to righteous living. God loved us and gave his son when it would have been just and fair to have left us condemned. Christian love goes beyond justice.

I query the present preoccupation with ‘voice’. Biblical justice does not centre on empowering people to speak and self-determine, but on love and action.