Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, why are Australians being asked to make the biggest change to Australia's Constitution in decades, creating a permanent new body without any details as to how it would operate? Why is the Prime Minister refusing to provide these details to the Australian people before the referendum?

Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The leader will resume his seat. There is far too much noise on my right. The same rules apply to both sides of the House. The Leader of the Opposition will be heard in silence and he will do his question again.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, why are Australians being asked to make the biggest change to Australia's Constitution in decades, creating a permanent new body without any details as to how it would operate? Why is the Prime Minister refusing to provide these details to the Australian public before the referendum?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The referendum is very clear. It's about two things.

Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thomas Mayor reckons it's about paying the rent. Is he right?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Deakin is warned.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's about recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our Constitution and it's about listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on matters that affect them. The question being put forward is very clear:

A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

The words then to be put forward are very clear as well:

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

i. there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;

ii. the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

Importantly:

iii. 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.

Opposition members inte rjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Fairfax. The member for Moncrieff. Order! There's far too much noise on my left. The Leader of the Opposition was heard in silence for his question. The Prime Minister deserves the same respect.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I make this point: I am hopeful that we can have a respectful debate going forward. Clause (iii) there makes it very clear that there is no right of veto, that this parliament will be prime. The principles that are being put forward as well are:

The Voice will give independent advice to the Parliament and Government

The Voice will be chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people based on the wishes of local communities—

not appointed by the government.

The Voice will be representative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, gender balanced and include youth

The Voice will be empowering, community-led, inclusive, respectful and culturally informed

The Voice will be accountable and transparent

The Voice will work alongside existing organisations and traditional structures

The Voice will not have a program delivery function

The Voice will not have a veto power

The fact is that the legislation, if the referendum is successful, will come before this parliament. This parliament will determine the structure, the composition, the powers and the procedures going forward. I hope that there can be a respectful debate on this issue. I hope that people avoid misinformation. This needs to be above politics as usual.

Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Everyone knows you politicised it!

Honourable members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for O'Connor. The House will come to order.