Australian Prime Minister pushes to give Aboriginal people an official voice

Give an official “voice” to the aborigines. And to allow the approximately 900,000 people who identify themselves as such, out of Australia’s 25 million inhabitants, to be represented through an advisory body, and thus to have a say in the development of national policies. It is the will of the Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese who calls on voters to come out in favor of a proposal to “ amend the Constitution to recognize the original peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice “.

For him, this referendum, which will take place during 2023, is an opportunity for Australians to make up for centuries of injustice, to officially recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and to give them a voice in the decision-making process. It’s about “ how our nation sees itself. It’s about whether we have the confidence to own our story “, highlighted the center-left leader.

Uncertain vote

But the outcome of this vote remains uncertain. Polls indicate that around 60% of Australians support constitutional change, but support is eroding and questions remain about how the “ voice » aboriginal. The Prime Minister tried to allay concerns, stressing that the “ voice “was a request” modest which was as much about how Australia sees itself as about the making of actual laws.

For decades, Australia’s predominantly white population has struggled to come to terms with its often brutal past. For more than a century, Australian Aborigines were not considered full citizens and, although these rights are now enshrined in law, deep inequalities remain. This minority faces more difficult living conditions, with less access to healthcare, education, lower life expectancy and lower wages.

” The voice in Parliament, enshrined in our Constitution, means that our people are listened to and heard on the issues that concern us said Indigenous Senator Patrick Dodson.

(With AFP)