Commentary
The new Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, commenced his election victory speech by declaring: “On behalf of the Australian Labor Party, I commit to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.” This would involve a “First Nations Voice” entrenched in the Australian Constitution, consisting of a standing body to advice federal Parliament on laws that affect not just the Aboriginal community but, potentially, the nation as a whole.
In July 2021, the Australian government released its final report on the Indigenous Co-design Process (pdf). This report proposes a consultative body offering advice to the government before a bill is introduced, as well as after a bill goes through its final phase of approval in Parliament….