The Voice: Common Sense Triumphs in Australia

Commentary In a historic national vote in mid-October, Australians decisively rejected a constitutional amendment that would have permanently enshrined race-based rights and privileges. The referendum question asked whether the Constitution should be amended to recognize aboriginals as the “first peoples” of the country and then authorize creation of a permanent indigenous group—the Voice—to advise both Parliament and the executive government (Cabinet). The referendum question seemed clear enough: “A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?” But both the referendum question and the constitutional amendment itself failed to limit or define the scope and powers of the proposed Voice....