Finding the best mechanism for consultation is key to achieving First Nations recognition

There is an effervescent debate on whether and how a First Nations Voice to Parliament ought to be created in order to give effect to the Uluru Statement from the Heart that was released in 2017.

Let’s take the two elements: constitutional recognition for a Voice to Parliament and the actual mechanism for consultation.

There is a view that a referendum ought to occur that allows for constitutional recognition of a consultative mechanism regardless of a structure. This argument relies on the notion of placing the reference in the constitution and then building the vehicle afterwards.