Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Again, that is how democracy works. What will be—to use your terminology—'enshrined in the Constitution' are the matters that are set out in section 129. The proposed section provides:

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;

And here's the important one:

(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.

The design principles set out this government's intentions as to how the Voice will be designed, but of course a future government may choose to make changes. What a future government wouldn't be able to do is abolish the Voice, because it would be in the Constitution.