The simplicity of the wording of proposed Voice to Parliament constitutional amendment is its “very great virtue”, says former High Court judge Kenneth Hayne.
constitutional amendment is its “very great virtue”, says former High Court judge Kenneth Hayne, who batted away suggestions a lack of detail could open it to legal challenges.and is now advising the government on the legality of the proposed amendment, said the Constitution was not the place to detail how the Voice to Parliament would work.
In July, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese outlined for the first time the proposed wording of a referendum question and constitutional amendment. “The courts have always shown great reluctance to interfere in the internal affairs of parliament. I think that litigation about what parliament does or does not do in response to representations would fail.”
Mr Hayne was joined on the panel by senator Patrick Dodson and Indigenous lawyer and advocate Teela Reid. Ms Reid said she was also concerned about the possible mental health impact the Voice referendum could have, given the emotional pain the marriage equality postal survey caused the LGBT community in 2017.“There is always risk in approaching anything like this but ... the greater risk is not giving this a shot. The status quo is so dangerous for us right now, something has to change,” she said.