Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday, I released a pamphlet which sets out a Liberal conservative outlook on why the Voice to Parliament is a good idea. I have long been of the idea that it is a good idea because it would empower communities to make good decisions about their own people and it would also aid the country getting to joint decision-making. I think a lot of the debate has been around getting advice to Canberra, and I think that is important. It's important that this chamber and this parliament is able to get better-informed advice. But we also want to be able to work with communities. When I go into communities in western New South Wales and talk to people, I hear they do want to have more capacity to make judgements about practical things in their community. I think that that is a very good idea, a very fair notion and something that we should be working towards.

It's also important at this point, though, to make it known that this referendum—if it is to be successful—will need a large proportion of Liberal and National voters to vote yes throughout Australia. I believe that for that to happen it is very important that the outstanding legal issues that have been raised in various quarters are addressed and are able to give people comfort that this is going to be a safe change for Australia, a change that will help Indigenous people, a change that will help the country and also a change that is safe for our Constitution and for our system of government.

I think it is important that there is some more information to be provided. For those of us who want this to work, and for those of us who want a win, we need to be able to explain how this is going to help close the gap on the ground in communities. That's why I believe it's very important that more information is forthcoming in coming months.