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?
That’s the question that is dominating debate throughout Australia today as we make up our minds on this controversial amendment.
The pre-polling has started ahead of final polling day on Saturday, October 14 and early polling is saying we will vote No.
Warnings when this was first flagged that this would divide this nation have rung true.
It has become highly emotional, splitting what I believe is a country that is far from racist.
It has given voice to the few aggrieved indigenous groups and has also allowed the few who are racist a platform on which to speak out on.
Despite this the one thing that it has done, which was needed, was to make us stop and reflect on racism.
Our future relies on us becoming one country where every person living here, no matter what their heritage may be, is regarded as an equal.
I am a proud Australia and proud that my parents where both born here.
Going back just a few generations sees my heritage planted in Stoke on Trent in England and Waiheke Island in New Zealand.
Am I English, am I a Kiwi because of this?
No, I am every inch a fiercely proud Australian and that’s how we need to look at everyone who has decided to call this great land their home.
Just because someone can say I have roots here that reach back hundreds of years makes them no different and gives them no higher rights over anyone else who is Australian.
We have a wonderful country that is the envy of the world, let’s not let this current debate plant the seeds of racism in our culture.
Whatever the result let this be a pivotal moment in our history and continue to make our home one of positivity and hope.
