G’day, sorry for the long wait.

To preface: I have studied constitutional law (was a lockdown subject for me). I’m not going to claim to have the understanding of either the High Court or the Constitutional Lawyers I’ve encountered, and bear in mind IANAL, and nothing I say here constitutes a true legal interpretation.

Based on both other legislation where the term “powers” has been used, as well as the context in which it is used in the proposed wording, I read it as referring to any abilities it may rely on in order to make its representations. I couldn’t tell you what these may be, as that would depend on the Government of the day, but my expectation would be they’d be related to information gathering, decision-making (including whether a chair would exist and veto power), whistleblowing, and those kinds of things.

The wording is purposefully very vague of course - which serves a few purposes. The big one is about making it hard for oppositional forces to take it to the High Court to claim whatever controversial action its taking is unconstitutional; there’ve been a few cases like that that just end up wasting the court’s time, along with tax payer money. Similarly, keeping it vague gives plenty of room to legislation to define its limitations, and allows for evolution as the needs of the community change.

Sorry for the essay mate, tl;dr: did study Constitutional law, had a great teacher! Powers is kept vague, but I would argue it refers to abilities. Vaguery is a good thing in a constitution because it gives room for the law to adapt and evolve.

this is inequitable

Not what equity means. Equity refers to equal access to the same opportunities. Put simply, due to their post-genocide, White Australia Policy and “Breeding out the Black” (real campaign) numbers, Indigenous Australians completely lack representation in Parliament. Therefore they lack access to the opportunities your average Australian (regardless of race) has. An Indigenous Voice to Parliament will make things more equitable, not less, as it will provide access to the same opportunities of representation that the rest of us have already.

FWIW, you’re correct; you haven’t finished Act 2, and you actually got the bad ending.

Honestly such a great game, I really appreciate that a deus ex machina like that is an option and will just end the game; it fits in quite nicely with how D&D itself works

A summary of my viewpoint:

I am enormously sick of the no campaign brigading every discussion with terrible arguments in bad faith.

I have yet to encounter a legal expert, or for that matter, an Indigenous Australian who is accepted by their community, who is opposed. Similarly, the law is my degree. I’ve spent five years of my life studying it, and although I’m not a graduate yet (two units to go), I’d think I’d know more about this shit than Joe from bumfuck nowhere on Facebook.

There is no case for a no vote. None whatsoever. The change would not grant special rights to Indigenous Australians. It has been repeatedly explained by both lawyers and politicians. You can read the change yourself. It has to be a constitutional change, because that protects it from being outright removed by successive governments, which is the very thing that happened to the previous body that performed this role. By definition, it is not racist, as racism refers to negative treatment on the basis of race or ethnic background, and not differing treatment. This is one of three steps proposed by Indigenous Australians towards reconciliation, and isn’t the endpoint. If it fails, it will be the endpoint.

When the colonisers arrived, Indigenous Australians outnumbered colonisers. Now, they make up just 2.5% of the population. We are driving them to extinction. If this fails, by the time we get around to trying again, it is likely the genocide will have all but been completed.

Ethically and morally, a yes vote is the only choice. Legally, it is the best choice for change.

I’ve been debating that myself tbh. As things stand I keep worrying taking on a student for such a brief time wouldn’t be ethical, given the ongoing nature of both academic improvement and the subject

English, Prep to 12! Honestly best job I’ve ever worked, besides my boss

Yeah, you’re almost certainly right. In any case, given graduation is just a few months out, I can’t decide whether to hunt for something in my degree area. Problem I face is prospective employers will be able to tell I’m graduating soon, and I’m rather afraid they’d pass me over in favour of a cheaper and longer-lasting international student.

Graduating at the end of November, Gods willing. I really, really hope my budget lasts that long, but I’m penny pinching in a big way and have been a while now (income is only about $800 a fortnight, post rent I’m left with less than half of that).

You and the other commenters are probably right honestly, it’s shitful as I love the job itself, but deeply hate my boss. I honestly cannot wait until I can just get the hell out of here, although it’s going to get ugly before it gets better (I’m a tutor and a lot of my income comes from VCE students, most of whom have their last class towards the end of October)

If only. Tutoring and sham contractor at that, so God knows how much of my experience will be treated as valid

I agree, but I can’t afford to until I graduate (still a few months out). When that happens though, I will be reporting my current for sham contracting (which has fucked me over so fucking badly)

It’s been a month since my boss put me under “observation” to determine whether I’d get the (from $30 to $33 an hour) raise I requested. They tried to claim they don’t take inflation into account, and dismissed every piece of evidence, making claims that because a coworker of mine uses their phone on the job I might be, and that’s reason why I shouldn’t get a raise.

Also, they claimed that they should be lowering my pay.

How on Earth do I handle this? I’m a Uni student and don’t have time to go on a job search, not to mention for equivalent pay. I just want to be able to earn enough to pay rent and food comfortably, not struggle every damn week to make ends meet

Meanwhile, my boss refused to give me a raise because “we don’t take inflation into account” and “your coworker was using his phone, and therefore you might be”.

Frankly, if they get a payrise for doing fuck-all, I should be getting at least equivalent for busting my arse and producing some of the best results for the company in a decade.

Also, fuck the fact that we don’t have legislated consistent payrises. If we legislated wages being directly tied to inflation, life would be much easier.

Indeed. This country (and tbh, the west) is fucked, and this is but a symptom of it. I’m just gonna focus on not letting it get to me for now.

Thanks mate. I fully agree; both the users and the general public are endangered by it. Ultimately though we need to better police sales and importation; by the time it’s in people’s hands, it’s too late.

Got a source on the child labour thing? Not doubting you, but as a non-American I’m confused as to how the hell youse aren’t in open revolt.

EDIT: Responding individually later. In short, fuck. In long, thanks all for sending me those links, I’m gonna go wash my eyes out with bleach and attempt to un-know all that I now know

Was threatened by a methhead on Separation Street out Northcote way this morning. I’ve reported it to the cops (who actually took me seriously, I’m kinda shocked), but is there anything else I should be doing? On my way to work right now but feeling super unsafe.

I suppose Dungeons and Dragons Online kinda resembles that concept, if you squint. Honestly though that would be amazing, I reckon I’d appreciate Faerun done in the style of a far bigger Elder Scrolls game, simply because of how much I love that world. That said, there’s no way that’d be feasible with current tech whilst still maintaining the scope and depth of BG3, which is phenomenal.

AAAAAAARGH!

There is definitely a small (and loud) group of people who are very angry this game exists. I assume, based on history, that they’re nazis very angry about the presence of same-sex relationships and non-white (as well as gasp! Female characters) in this game. Be great if Valve actually policed its community, becauee this kind of bullshit really shouldn’t be okay.

Buses delayed by fifteen minutes, and yet we’re expected to pay $10 a day for them? Get fucked PTV, all I want to do is get to my damn job and some days it just makes it impossible!