Rod McKelvey
Voice Secretariat
Reply Paid 83380
CANBERRA ACT 2601
25-04-2021
By email:
https://haveyoursay.voiceniaa.gov.au/submissions
Re: I accept the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart to walk together for a better future.
Therefore, I write in full support of a National Indigenous Voice to Parliament, protected in the Constitution,
and a Makarrata Commission to supervise agreement-making (treaty) and truth-telling.
Successive Governments have rejected the Uluru Statement from the Heart’s call for an Indigenous Voice to
Parliament by claiming that the body would constitute a “third chamber”
How hypocritical then that they embraced the National Covid-19 Commission Advisory Board, (a Fossil Fuel
Voice to Parliament), and yet importantly deny this same democratic right to our First Nations people.
Unlike the Covid-19 Commission’s unilateral decision-making processes, our First Nations people have politely
and democratically sought support of the following the three key positions:
1. The Government must honour its election commitment to a referendum once a model for the Voice
has been settled to ensure that a First Nations Voice to Parliament is protected by the Constitution;
2. Enabling legislation for the Voice must be passed after a referendum has been held in the next term
of Parliament; and
3. The membership model for the National Voice must ensure previously unheard Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people have the same chance of being selected as established leadership figures.
It is well beyond time for a First Nations Voice to Parliament protected by the Constitution.
Thanks for the opportunity to have my say.
Rod W McKelvey MAICD
Honorary Life member WSLSC
