Peta Murphy (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The dissenting report also failed to make any reference to proposed section 129(iii). That is a telling absence because that is the subsection of proposed subsection 129 that gives ultimate power to legislate for the Voice to the parliament. All of the so-called constitutional concerns that were raised in the dissenting report failed to address that simple fact.

This is an important moment in history. This is an opportunity to bring our country together and walk forward in reconciliation. After hearing all of the evidence in the inquiry that I was a part of, there is only one reasonable conclusion open to the committee: the draft provision is constitutionally sound and should be supported in its present form. Listening to communities instead of saying, 'We know better,' leads to better laws, policies and outcomes, making a practical difference on the ground in areas like health, education and housing. Having a moment where all of us, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, can be proud of ourselves as a country is what the Voice will help to deliver. Thank you.

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