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…