Yes or No? Voice to parliament official campaigns revealed
The official Yes and No arguments for the Indigenous Voice to parliament have been revealed.
Parliamentarians in both camps took part in developing the respective cases, which will be distributed to Australians in pamphlet form ahead of the referendum later this year.
Here's what the proponents of both votes have to say.
EXPLAINER: What is the Indigenous Voice to parliament and what would a referendum entail?
The referendum for the Indigenous Voice to parliament is approaching. Cole Bennetts
Yes camp leans in to Voice origins
The case put forward by the Yes team places heavy emphasis on the origins of the Voice in the Uluru Statement from the Heart as something put forward by Indigenous leaders rather than any parliament or political party.
"Vote yes to an idea that comes directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people themselves: Constitutional Recognition through a Voice," the document reads.
It said a yes vote was about "recognition", "listening" and "better results".
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Supporters of the Voice to parliament in Sydney in July 2023. Steven Siewert
"When governments listen to people about issues that affect them, they: make better decisions; get better results; (and) deliver better value for money," the document reads.
"The Voice will give advice on key issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, from better infant health to improving services in remote areas.
"Parliament and Government will still be responsible for all laws, programs and funding."
No camp argues Voice writes a 'blank cheque'
The No pamphlet runs hard on the unknowns about the Voice, including its composition and areas of oversight.
"We don't know how it will help disadvantaged communities and close the gap," it reads.
"We don't know how many members this Voice would have.
"We don't know if they would be elected or chosen, or how this would occur.
"We don't know how it would make representations or be held accountable."
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Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is one of the leaders of the No camp. The Sydney Morning Herald
Contrary to the Yes camp, the No campaign claims the Voice will prompt waves of legal action and that the body will have a mandate to oversee areas of government such as Defence.
"Many legal experts have expressed concern about its scope, however their concerns have simply been overlooked," the document reads.
Concerns are also raised about potential social divisions and whether the Voice will be effective on behalf of Indigenous Australians.
"Australians shouldn't be asked to sign a blank cheque," the document argues.
Both cases can be read in full ahead of the nationwide pamphlet distribution online at the Australian Electoral Commission website.
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