As a local community representative, I have worked with an organisation called Democracy Co to engage with the residents of Casey to understand their views and their questions about the Voice to Parliament.
On Sunday 28 May, 58 people were randomly and independently selected across the electorate of Casey to match the demographics of our community. They came together to talk about the proposed Voice to Parliament for Indigenous Australians.
The afternoon began with a welcome to country from Wurundjeri woman, Julie Coombs. The participants heard about the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ cases from eminent Australians Aunty Jill Gallagher AO and Warren Mundine AO respectively, and then they discussed the process and answered more questions.
Watch the presentation on the ‘yes’ case from Aunty Jill Gallagher AO:
Watch the presentation on the ‘no’ case from Warren Mundine AO:
Participants were surveyed about their views, which was facilitated by independent engagement company democracyCo. All three organisations involved—democracyCo, Sortition Foundation and Hatrick and Co—are independent and nonpartisan. They are committed to improving how peoples voices are heard within our system of government, and they undertook this work in partnership with myself and the people of Casey pro bono.
The results from this process showed equal numbers supported the ‘yes’ and the ‘no’ cases, with only 11% remaining undecided. Read the full report here: Report – The Voice forum
In addition, from the thousands of people who have contacted my electorate office, either through my surveys, emailing or calling in unprompted, 39.2% support the ‘yes’ case, 45.9% support the ‘no’ case and 14.8% remain undecided.
The feedback I have received from our community is important, because ultimately, this decision is for you – not me and not any other politician – and your vote is as equal as mine in this referendum.
I encourage all those participating in the debate to be respectful and constructive, and I have full confidence that Australians will make the right decision, as they do at every election.
Pictured: Aaron Violi MP with Aunty Jill Gallagher AO and Warren Mundine AO at the Casey ‘The Voice’ forum.