![voice small II](https://quadrant.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/voice-small-II.png)
Obscure and Confused Notions of Aboriginality
A pragmatic argument against the entrenchment of the Voice in the Constitution concerns the inability, or unwillingness, of its proponents to define ‘Aboriginality’. Indeed, as the Voice is to consist of appointed ‘Aboriginal’ members, it becomes necessary to define the concept.
In reality, there is utter confusion as to who is to be regarded as ‘Aboriginal’, how the twenty-four members of the Voice will be chosen, and what the powers of that ‘advisory’ body will be. Indeed, in Australia ‘Aboriginality’ seems to have developed into an amorphous, undefinable concept that has steadily been expanded to cover cultural traits that are different from the mainstream population. It has become an obscure and confused notion, an empty vessel the details of which need to be filled in by politicians, policymakers, and trendsetters. To this purpose, Senator Pauline Hanson attempted to introduce a bill, which would have clarified and changed the process of identifying as an…
Madam: Archbishop Fisher (July-August 2024) does not resist the attacks on his church by the political, social or scientific atheists and those who insist on not being told what to do.
Aug 29 2024
6 mins
To claim Aborigines have the world's oldest continuous culture is to misunderstand the meaning of culture, which continuously changes over time and location. For a culture not to change over time would be a reproach and certainly not a cause for celebration, for it would indicate that there had been no capacity to adapt. Clearly this has not been the case
Aug 20 2024
23 mins
A friend and longtime supporter of Quadrant, Clive James sent us a poem in 2010, which we published in our December issue. Like the Taronga Park Aquarium he recalls in its 'mocked-up sandstone cave' it's not to be forgotten
Aug 16 2024
2 mins