Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Let's talk about some facts. The proposed constitutional amendment says that the Voice will have the power to make representations on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. That is a fact. The Leader of the Opposition ignores this fact and asserts that the Voice would influence every area of public administration and grind the whole of government to a halt. This is wrong, and the Leader of the Opposition must know that it is wrong. The proposed constitutional amendment says that the parliament will have power to determine the powers of the Voice. That is a fact. The Leader of the Opposition ignores this fact and asserts that the High Court would determine its powers, not the parliament. This is wrong, and the Leader of the Opposition must know that this is wrong.

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