Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Farrer for her question. In the second reading speech, the Attorney-General said that the primary function of the Voice will be:

… making representations to the parliament and the executive government about matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples would include:

The Voice will not be required to make a representation on every law, policy or program. The Voice will determine when to make representations by managing its own priorities and allocating its resources in accordance with the priorities of First Nations peoples.

In addition, the provision we are putting to the referendum makes clear that the power of the parliament will not change. Subsection (iii) says:

The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.

Let me be clear: there will be no change to how the parliament operates. The Voice will not run programs. The Voice will not deliver funding. The Voice will not have a power of veto. It will address issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people differently. As I said yesterday, we know the issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people differently: gaps in education and employment, higher rates of family violence and incarceration, higher rates of disease and suicide, more risk during childbirth. Let me be very clear: this is about two things: it's about recognition and listening. I can assure the parliament that recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our Constitution and listening to them so we get better outcomes is the means to the end. The end is the better future for First Peoples.

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