Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

You have raised quite a few points there, Senator Cash. If I may, we do not for a minute think that we could be so arrogant as to come in here expecting that we've won the referendum. We recognise that we have to win the referendum before we can come and have these discussions—and I think that's important. You say you're prepared to bring a model in. That's fine; you can do that if that's what you wish to do tonight. But I'd just like to refer you back to the point that the Voice will be accountable and transparent and it is subject to standard governance. If we are successful in this referendum, then of course we'd commence a process to design the Voice in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the broader Australian public. And I don't think I can say it in any other way but that we have to win the referendum first.