A Shapeshifting Creature Inside the Constitution

At lunch the other day, one of our number, who knows a thing or two about constitutional law, of which to say I know little embellishes my knowledge, made the point that the Voice would be an unusual addition to the Constitution. It would not in fact create anything. It would simply insist that something of no definition whatsoever must be created by the Parliament. I chose the word unusual. In fact, bizarre is more apropos. Here is the Prime Minister’s suggested form of words for insertion into the Constitution:

♦ There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

♦ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to parliament and the executive government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

♦ The parliament shall, subject to this constitution, have power to make laws with respect to the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander…