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Quarterly Essay 90: Voice of Reason

On Recognition and Renewal

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Quarterly Essay 90: Voice of Reason

By: Megan Davis
Narrated by: Megan Davis
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About this listen

At Uluru, an invitation was issued to the Australian people. With the upcoming referendum, the nation will decide whether to accept that invitation.

In this compelling, fresh and imaginative essay, Megan Davis draws out the significance and the promise of this “constitutional moment” – what it could mean for recognition and justice. Davis presents the Voice to Parliament as an Australian solution to an Australian problem.

For Indigenous people, it is a practical response to “the torment of powerlessness”. She highlights the failure of past policies, in areas from child protection to closing the gap, and the urgent need for change. She also brings out the creative and imaginative dimensions of the Voice. Fundamental to her account is the importance of truly listening. In explaining why the Voice is needed from the ground up, she evokes a new vision of Country and community.

Megan Davis is Professor of Constitutional Law at UNSW, a global Indigenous rights expert on the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and a former chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. She was the first person to read out the Uluru Statement from the Heart, at Uluru in May 2017.

©2023 Megan Davis (P)2023 Audible Australia Pty Ltd. Australia & Oceania Indigenous Studies Oceania Politics & Government Social Sciences Specific Demographics World
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This brief look into the Voice is well structured and argued and perfectly narrated. A must listen/read!

Rich with insight

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Succinct summary rich with information and background on the referendum the constitution and the voice

Well reasoned explanation

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Informative listen that provides compelling and rational reasons to support change. I hope Australians listen.

Every Australian should listen

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For me this Essay gives insides from which point of view the “Uluṟu Statement of the heart” was written and for which purpose.

A must “listen” for all Australians

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A valuable resource for all Australians. Megan Davis has provided an informative, well structured essay on the Voice.

Informative and important listening

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Unsurprisingly, this was an excellent list. Highly recommended for conservative politicians and media. Beautiful.
The truth of this nation's history. The patience of the Indigenous population. The words of an Indigenous Constitutional Lawyer who has been walking this road for decades.
The more people that hear/read this essay, the better. Australia is at a crossroads. Accepting the undeserved invitation of The Uluru Statement from the Heart will start us on a path to reconciliation. It will benefit everyone.
After listening to this I don't know how anyone couldn't vote YES ✊🏻

All the information that is required. Just Listen.

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I still had my doubts about voting yes & I’m glad I listened to the essay as it has really enlightened me about the history of the fight for Aboriginal rights & recognition.

Dawn

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Excellent summary of what led to a Uluru statement, and then a referendum for constitutional recognition. If you don’t know, find out and then vote yes! Thank you Megan Davis for once again, patiently, explaining this to us all!

If you don’t know, listen

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I wish I had listened to, or read, this before the referendum. What a crying shame.

very poignant

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I would defy any rational, open and fair minded person to say “No” after listening to this beautifully written and thought out piece of work.

How could you say No?

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.