This whole thing started in 2015 as a joint effort between the Liberal and Labor government to investigate “Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples”.

They appointed 16 people who met spent two years meeting thousands of indigenous people from all over Australia to discuss the issue. The indigenous community got together and sent 250 of their delegates (mostly Elders) to Uluru where they had a four day meeting and produced a “statement from the heart” which includes these two sentences:

We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.

In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard.

A couple months later, the advisory body created by the Liberal and Labor government produced their final report:

[we recommend] that a referendum be held to provide in the Australian Constitution for a representative body that gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Nations a Voice to the Commonwealth Parliament.

Even though it was a joint effort between the Liberal and Labor parties, the Liberal party ignored it and did nothing at all.

As soon as the Labor party won an election… they decided not to ignore it, and here we are, with the referendum that was called for by representatives of both indigenous Australia and by Australian politicians (both left and right wing politicians).

As for “is it any good for Aboriginals”… well, why not ask them? We have asked them, and they loudly and clearly said they want this. There might be a few individuals in the indigenous community who want something else, but the overwhelming majority think The Voice is a good idea and they want you to vote Yes.