It can be hard to talk about your personal standpoint with the people you care about. It can be a tense awkward situation, but luckily for you, we’ve compiled a few things to make your life a little easier. Below you can find a conversation guide and the top talking points on the Voice.
The Conversation Guide
Top Talking Points
Do the people know what the change to the constitution is?
The Australia Institute conducted a survey of 1004 adults finding that 84% do not know what the referendum is about.
How are the media reporting on the referendum?
Media stories carry a message that are for a specific target audience and utilise certain methods of creativity or mediums to further engage the respondent.
It has been found that the early lack of support for the Yes campaign could be linked to the oversaturation of the Yes media and advertising, potentially turning off wider audiences as they could likely feel overwhelmed, leading to an uninformed decision at the referendum.
What the early polls are saying.
It is useful to cross-reference sources such as the ABC, The Guardian, and The Australia Institute and analyse their data. The majority of support for the voice comes from a younger audience, particularly those of a higher socio-economic status. In no way are these statistics to pressure a decision; it is simply an analysis of the data provided.
The younger generation might not know how to vote in the referendum.
This stems from the fact that simply anyone under the age of 42 has not voted in a referendum before.
The divide amongst the First Nations Peoples and communities.
Referring back to how media stories carry a message for a target audience, the same applies here. Amongst Indigenous communities, both Yes and No campaigns have meticulously selected individuals who represent these campaigns and may not speak on behalf of a larger community.
Decision paralysis across generations and races.
It is common amongst interactions with family, friends and colleagues to find varying stances about the Voice. Some Australians have already decided on their vote and wish to move on rather than endure discussions and campaigns about either vote. In other words, there is a world outside the Voice, and it shouldn’t have to come to a potentially biased non-Indigenous perspective majority voting on Indigenous affairs.
Australia has less than a month to decide.
With less than a month to decide, campaigns and interactions have become more intensely focused on the referendum to persuade a decision. Democracy dictates that you are ultimately able to choose. It is your responsibility to have a reason or information behind your decision
What about other minority voices?
Giving recognition to the First Nations Peoples of Australia presents the idea of other groups seeking similar action in recognition of their community.
If the Voice is passed, what other groups and communities will want their own voice represented in parliament and recognised in the Constitution?