What is the Status of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Process: The Decision End Point or a Decision-Making Aid? A Conflict Management Perspective
Divergent public opinion and controversy has arisen in Australia over a referendum the Federal Government intends to hold later this year. Specifically, that an advisory body known as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice (“ the Voice ”) may make representations to Parliament and the Executive on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. However, the available information to facilitate voting about the “ the Voice process ” at the referendum has been an issue. A conflict management framework was applied to address this issue. The focus was on the “interests” (or needs and concerns ) about the Voice process that the public have in relation to the referendum question – rather than the voting “position” they may hold . The features of “ the Voice process ” were compared with public participation processes for resolving public interest conflicts: Processes which already exist and are equally available to all Australi