Talking about indigenous voice, can someone explain the Uluru Statement from the Heart? Firstly, would the First Nations voice just be an advisory body? And secondly, would it be elected?
I think it's a nice gesture, but the effect could just be slight. Having actual seats in Parliament reserved for First Nations could have a bigger effect and there is precedent for it in NZ, but that is understandably divisive and not the ideal thing to have in a democracy. Hopefully the Uluru Statement is explained well before a referendum to the public, otherwise people could just reflexively reject it.
Big difference between NZ and Australia is that Māori make up 16% of NZ but Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders only make up 2.8% of Australia.
