The Voice Grows Louder in The West
March 28, 2023
Earlier this year, we brought you the results that showed over half of Western Australians supported the Indigenous Voice to Parliament – a proposal that would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide advice to the Government on policies and projects that affect their lives. Following up
Since our initial measure, support has continued to grow, and now the question to be asked of Australians has been confirmed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. It reads:
“A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”
As reported on the front cover of today’s West Australian, a Painted Dog Poll found that 60% of West Aussies support the proposed alteration to the Constitution, with support significantly higher among females compared to males (69% vs 51%). However, support decreases with age, with just 47% of those aged 55+ voicing their support, compared with 71% and 63% of 18-34 and 35-54 year-olds, respectively.
Further to the dichotomous yes / no vote West Aussies will face in the Referendum, we sought to gain an understanding of how strongly people feel towards the proposed alteration. We found that 54% approve this proposed alteration, with a further 11% currently sitting on the fence, and 35% disapproving. At the extreme ends of the scale, 39% completely approve, while 24% completely disapprove. The same trends in stronger support are again seen among females and the younger age brackets.
And lastly, in addition to getting an early insight into the potential outcome of the Referendum, we felt it was important to determine to what extent people actually understand the question being asked of them. As it turns out, the majority (66%) feel they understand the Referendum question as it is proposed, while 21% feel they do not understand what the question is asking them. Much of this uncertainty may stem from a lack of knowledge around the Voice itself, which will no doubt increase as education campaigns around this momentous decision are launched.
This is certainly a changing landscape around an important decision, and one that West Aussies look to be on the right side of for now. We’ll continue to keep our ear to the ground and track the Indigenous Voice to Parliament as it develops over the coming months.
Read the full article below, and to have YOUR say and take part in our next poll, sign-up to RewardingViews:
https://www.rewardingviews.com.au
