The editors of Thesis Eleven would like to express their support for the Voice Amendment to the Australian Constitution that is proposed in the upcoming national referendum.

This support is for the principle of recognition, which historically has been severely lacking in the history of Australian policy towards First Nations peoples, but also for political pragmatism, since concrete progress is a matter of urgency.

The Constitution currently contains two sections, 25 and 51, that refer to legislation by race. In particular, section 51, commonly called the ‘race power’, has been used in recent history to pass laws regarding Indigenous peoples without consultation.

The Voice Amendment is a necessary addition to the Constitution to end the abuse of section 51 and provide a platform by which First Nations can properly be heard in Parliament. Further, it will mark a step forward in national recognition of the unique and significant place of Indigenous peoples in Australia, and therefore contribute to the progress of decolonising the future of Australian culture.