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This topic has started to be brought up in the Brisbane threads to the point where it has started to become disruptive to normal discussions there (I suspect in some cases deliberately so). I figured it would be more productive to move such discussions here. Basically, in 2017, Australian indigenous leaders met and issued what has become known as the Uluṟu Statement from the Heart, a document stating their wishes to non-indigenous Australians, setting forth a path general reconciliation, and calling for, in particular, a “Voice to Parliament”, a formal body to represent Aboriginal interests and advise the Government on matters specifically pertaining to the country’s Fist Nation people. The Labor Party, under Anthony Albanese, came to power last year with a campaign promise to put the notion to the people through a referendum to establish such a voice and grant Aboriginal people recognition in the constitution. That referendum will be held here on October 14. Sadly, it’s become a divisive issue here. The main opposition party, the Liberals, have refused to support it, setting it up for almost inevitable defeat. There’s many reasons behind this, and a lot of finger pointing and heated arguments going on, which I won;t go into right now but which may get brought up in this thread. I myself strongly support the Yes case for the Voice. I believe it is a modest proposal to advance reconciliation in this country. I do not believe it cedes any sovereignty and point to the fact that it is proposed as merely an advisory body with no extra powers beyond advice on strictly aboriginal matters with no onus on any government to enact such advice. If I see posts, particularly disruptive posts, in the Brisbane threads, I will be moving them here.