Soft News: The Voice

Sherene believes that equality is one of the components, and simultaneously, the most important element to build a healthy society.

She will stand on the side of the Yes campaign for the upcoming referendum.

“We are just people” is her value that she would like all people to understand that “equality” is not a complicated word and the meaning is simple to comprehend.

“It doesn’t matter what we look like, what colour our skin is, what colour our hair or our eyes,” she said.

“Everybody is just trying to have a good life.”

Sherene said Indigenous people have to be treated as other Australians, they have not been treated fairly for “more than 200 years”.

“Before the amendment of constitution in 1967, Indigenous people were classed as flora and fauna, so plants and animals, not even people,” she said.

“This is really terrible.”

She tried to recall her memory when she was young.

“Indigenous people in rural or outback areas, the living conditions were very terrible, but I think even in city areas, they have had a hard time becoming integrated into society,” she said.

“There were a lot of racists and terrible language used about Indigenous people.”

Sherene believes that it is time to consider the issue of Indigenous people, particularly, the looming referendum for the amendment of constitution.

“I agree with the Voice to Parliament. I think it is important for Indigenous people to be really representative in Australia,” she said.

“However, I want to hear more about what Indigenous people think, it is not important what I think, it is what Indigenous people think. If they think that is a good thing, then I support what they said.”

She said the information of the Voice should be given in more detail to people.

“What is the Voice and what will it look like? What is it supposed to do? I don’t think there is enough information for the normal people to fully understand,” she said

“And maybe that is why white people will vote for no because they don’t understand.”

In terms of the potential crises which would be triggered by the Voice, She is not worried that the successful implementation of the Voice would lead to racial division made by the advocates from the No campaign.

“Australians are not like that. If it is successful, people will accept it [the result of referendum] and say let’s move on,” she said

“I don’t believe there is just like this group of people [races] and another group of people [races]. We are one nation. We have to be together in one country.”

She said the Voice is a way to help Indigenous people and enhance their living conditions by closing the gap, and also, they should be given more opportunity.

“First Nation people need to be given more opportunities. They need opportunities to learn skills to get a job,” she said.

“Everybody should be able to have an opportunity, to be equal and to pursue happiness and their dreams. Also, have education, have healthcare, and have a good place to live.”