To The Australian We need a very clear explanation indeed from the Prime Minister as to why he has changed his mind from last September, when he "described a constitutionally enshrined indigenous voice to parliament as unworkable and a third chamber of parliament" ("Wyatt wants to create a voice without shouting", 11/7). In the meantime there is nothing in the Minister for Indigenous Australians' latest speech that effectively out-argues the three most important objections to any kind of constitutional amendment favouring indigenous Australians, who are an ill-defined group at best. These are its danger, through its inherent divisiveness, to our national security and internal stability, and its inequitable dealing with non-indigenous Australians (the huge majority of us). The government's refusal to face reality is indeed "a significant backward step" ("Voice to Parliament carries the same risks it did two years ago", 11/7).
Nigel Jackson, Belgrave, Vic