Thread by @EddieSynot

There will never be “veto power” for Voice, or Treaty, or any kind of arrangement for Indigenous peoples in Australia. It’s impossible. It’s important to understand why. This is not a limitation of the Voice proposal. It’s an impossibility 🧵 #VoteYes #UluruStatement #auspol

Under the Australian system of democratic governance established by our constitution, the parliament has legislative power/authority. That’s the house of reps & senate. That’s it. They’re/it’s sovereign. #VoteYes #UluruStatement #auspol

Being able to give “veto power” to another institution would be to fundamentally alter the entire system of governance established by our Constitution, it would mean tearing it up & starting all over again. #VoteYes #UluruStatement #auspol

It’s neither desirable or politically viable to do this. There is no political will for this whatsoever. It’s impossible. This must be understood & accepted, & proposals or concerns must be judged by their understanding & acceptance of this. #VoteYes #UluruStatement #auspol

This is the same issue with the authority of treaty. It is only ever going to be an instrument of the Cmth parliament, subject to it, not above it, or beyond it, or equal to it. #VoteYes #UluruStatement #auspol

It’s impossible for Cth to cede their sovereignty & authority in this way anyway - aside from a coupe or starting all over again or by force - it’s the same reason there is a ceiling on native title, inserting it into the property system only. #VoteYes #UluruStatement #auspol

The expectation or critique that there be a “veto power”, or the disappointment that there isn’t one, is understandable, but it’s misplaced as a limit of the Voice. Nothing can deliver a veto power. #VoteYes #UluruStatement #auspol

We have to be able to find a way to drive change. The consensus option from the community, through informed, deliberative dialogue, that understood these challenges, was for Voice, Treaty & Truth. #VoteYes #UluruStatement #auspol

Voice is first for a number of reasons, especially for this constitutional authority/power reason. Voice enables change. Voice enables a better system to negotiate Treaty & truth within. #VoteYes #UluruStatement #auspol