Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians. Would the Voice have the power to advise the government to abolish Australia Day?

Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Voice will not be bothered by culture wars. It will focus on the practical differences in terms of closing the gap. As the second reading speech of the Attorney-General made clear, it will focus on matters specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or matters that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people differently. The keyword there is 'differently'. The word 'differently' talks about things like the 10-year gap in life expectancy. It talks about the fact that our young people more likely to be incarcerated than to go to university.

It talks about infant and maternal mortality. It talks about children born at lower birth weights, higher rates of family violence, lower rates of finishing school and higher rates of unemployment and overcrowding in houses. It will not be involved in culture wars.