Upcoming Constitutional Challenge to Voice to Parliament

Posted: 18 Jul 2023 | Updated: 18 Jul 2023

A constitutional lawyer who supports the Voice to Parliament is likely to complain to the electoral commission about the No side's plan to quote him in its campaign.

Emeritus Professor Greg Craven, who has long supported an Indigenous representative body, said the current draft constitutional amendment left the door open for the Voice to have the power to advise the executive government.

This, he said, would be a "radical departure" from the current constitutional arrangements and would give the Voice too much power.

"I think it's a very dangerous proposal," Professor Craven said.

"It would give the Voice the power to veto legislation, and it would also give it the power to advise the government on any matter it wished.

"This would be a major change to our constitutional arrangements, and I don't think it's one that we should make lightly."

Professor Craven's comments come as the No campaign steps up its efforts to defeat the Voice to Parliament.

The No campaign has been running ads featuring Professor Craven's comments, and it has also been using them in its social media campaign.

Professor Craven said he was "disappointed" that the No campaign was using his comments out of context.

"I support the Voice to Parliament, but I don't support the current draft constitutional amendment," he said.

"I think it's important to have a debate about the Voice, but I don't think it's helpful to misrepresent my views."

The No campaign has defended its use of Professor Craven's comments, saying that they are accurate and reflect his views on the Voice to Parliament.

The campaign said it was "important to have a debate about the Voice, and that includes hearing from all sides."