Key Points
- The referendum for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament is set to take place on October 14, 2023.
- Three panellists were invited by the Australians for Philippine Human Rights Network for an online forum aimed at clarifying issues and questions about the Voice.
- Lead convenor Melba Marginson encouraged fellow Filipinos to gather information before making a decision.
PAKINGGAN ANG PODCAST:
Grupo ng Pinoy sa Australia, nagsagawa ng online forum para sagutin ang mga isyu tungkol sa Voice Referendum
SBS Filipino
19/09/202308:57
"My favourite Filipino food is 'dinuguan' (pork blood stew), and we sometimes use turtle blood, a common dish in Torres Strait," Thomas Mayo said.
Mr Mayo, who has Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkagal, Erubamie Torres Strait Islander heritage, proudly mentioned his Filipino bloodline, as his great-grandfather was a Filipino named Felix Mayor.
Thomas Mayo, who has Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkagal, Erubamie Torres Strait Islander heritage, proudly mentioned his Filipino bloodline during the "Mula sa Puso” (From the Heart) Online Forum on the Voice.
"We called for a Voice this time to be enshrined in the Constitution so it cannot be taken away by a government that doesn't want to listen or to be held to account for the poor decisions they make. We worked hard since 2017 as Indigenous people to convince the Albanese government to put this question to the Australian people on 14 October."
SBS Filipino interviewed several Filipino-Australians during the Spring Fest 2023 in Queensland to gather their perspectives on the Voice to Parliament.
One woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed her opposition to the Voice by saying, "I prefer acknowledgement over them (First Nations people) speaking in parliament because that's a bigger responsibility for them. In my view, less talk means less mistakes, so I'm leaning towards a 'No' vote."
Louie, a Brisbane tradesman, remains uncertain about his stance on the issue. He commented, "I personally don't fully understand the purpose of the Voice. If someone could explain how it works, I could make an informed decision, whether it's a 'Yes' or a 'No.'"
To address these diverse opinions and understanding levels, the Philippine Human Rights Network organised an online forum on the Voice aiming to inform community members, promote respectful conversations and encourage active participation in the upcoming referendum.
Law Professor Kristine Rundle from the University of Melbourne joined the panel to explain the role and scope of the representative body under the Constitution.
Deborah Ruiz-Wall, the author of the book 'Re-imagining Australia: Voices of Indigenous Australians of Filipino Descent', shared the historical ties between early Filipino pearl divers, known as the Manila Men, who arrived in Australia in the 1800s. They married and lived with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, leaving a lasting legacy.
(From top right) Australians for Philippine Human Rights Network Lead-Convenor Melba Marginson, Convenor for South Australia Mario Trinidad, Law Professor Kristine Rundle & Deborah Ruiz-Wall, author of the book 'Re-imagining Australia: Voices of Indigenous Australians of Filipino Descent'
The panellists also addressed the criticisms from the opposition, including the perceived lack of details about the Voice according to Liberal Senator Matt Canavan.
Professor Rundle clarified, "The reason the detail will only be worked out after the referendum is because that's how constitutions work. And that is also the responsibility they give to parliaments as the key institution in our constitutional system that is the most capable of responding to changes in our lives over time."
The panel also tackled the issue of racial divisiveness as put forth by No campaigner and Indigenous Leader Nyunggai Warren Mundine.
In a press conference, Mr Mundine reaffirmed his opposition to the Voice to Parliament after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the referendum date.
“We are here about building a liberal democracy of freedoms and liberties and equality – not dividing our nation by race and I will swear on my mother's and father's grave that I will fight this (the Voice)," he said.
Professor Rundle explained that the argument revolves around the quality of representation, particularly concerning the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
"And the real difference here is that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the first people to this country. And live within a constitutional framework that blatantly ignored them and pretended that they weren't there," she said.
Australians for Philippine Human Rights Network joins rally for Yes campaign.
“These views are false,” said Mr Mayo.
Lead convenor Melba Marginson and Mariza Sollano led the forum, with Mario Trinidad, convenor for South Australia, acting as the facilitator.
In response to the issues raised by the opposition, the group calls for support for the Yes campaign and the sharing of accurate information among fellow migrants.
"We hope that you will support this in your language in Tagalog and communicate with your communities."
You can find comprehensive information about the referendum by visiting the SBS Voice Referendum portal at .
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