ABORIGINAL ELDERS KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE

Even if Voice to Parliament gets struck down, like it should be, any endeavour to "close the gap" and put an end to indigenous disadvantage should be at the very forefront of every political leader's mind.

As many advocates who are opposed to Voice rightfully point out, there are already numerous channels and mechanisms in place, including a minister for Aboriginal Affairs, to represent First Nations Australians, and be "their voice" in parliament. 

They are already one of the most politically and bureaucratically represented groups of people, per capita, in the entire world. If that level of representation is not working adequately enough to achieve positive outcomes for First Nations Australians and their communities, then the Voice to Parliament is not going to help one iota. 

There is simply too much bureaucracy in the middle between for example the Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Aboriginal elders, who are the people best qualified to know what their communities require to escape the trap of disadvantage. 

First Nations Australians have an enormous amount respect for their elders, they listen to them a lot more than any bureaucrat. What has created so much disadvantage in First Nations communities for decades is not just limited to the generational outcomes of the dreaded White Australia policy and various forms of economic discrimination against them, but also a mountain of bureaucracy which has never achieved optimal outcomes to improve the lives of First Nations Australians. 

They don't need the Voice to Parliament. What they need is a lot less bureaucracy so that what the Minister for Indigenous Affairs says will happen - happens. No questions asked.