August 5th, 2023Your say…

RE Just Sayin’… – July 3, 2023 Issue 283
I enjoy and appreciate The Local, thank you for providing this free publication. I look forward to getting to the back pages of The Local so that I can be annoyed or buoyed by Kyle’s rant, and entertained, informed and at times provoked by your Just Sayin’… column.
In this issue I was deeply disappointed. You wrote that you don’t know enough about the Voice, and you say the answer to the referendum question should of course be Yes, yet you advise voting No, based on not enough information.
I wonder how much detail the general public have been given in past for constitutional change? This is the first time First Nations people will be enshrined in our constitution and yet you advise to continue to wait? I’m not sure exactly what detail you want?
It is intensely upsetting that you echo and amplify Peter Dutton’s very loud and very privileged arguments, someone who has done nothing significant to improve the lives of Aboriginal people.
I’m not a First Nations person, but white people stole their lands, killed Aboriginal people, stole children and ruined their culture and now prevaricate about ‘letting’ them have a voice, when we are the ones on stolen lands. Enough information is out there to start the process, and the referendum is just the first step in the process.
I’m really upset that you are in a position of influence and are advising readers to vote no, whilst also saying you don’t know enough. Read The Voice To Parliament handbook, listen to podcasts, talk to First Nations people.
Are you hearing the voices of Aboriginal people? Are we used to being in a position of power and not able to see how truly devastating this would be if we voted against the referendum? If people vote ‘no’ then governments will think they have the authority to continue to do nothing of consequence, and nothing will change and nothing will improve the lives of Aboriginal people. Nothing.

From: Mez Lanigan, Trentham
(Ed’s note: For the record, I said the vote should be yes but I fear it will be no. Not to vote no.)
Letters and musings are always welcome. Email news@tlnews.com.au
Any addressed Dear Sir will be deleted – you know why 🙂