The tale of Megan Davis, a pre-eminent constitutional lawyer, is one that traces back to her childhood.
Aged 12, her mother introduced her to a secondhand book that contained a copy of the Constitution. The young Indigenous girl, living in a housing commission home, was captivated by it and often carried the Constitution around with her.
It was a fascination that many, including her sister Lucy, found unusual but it revealed her early intrigue towards law and justice.
Fast forward thirty years, Davis is not just a respected figure in the field of constitutional law, she’s also the pivotal character in the Voice referendum. This is a landmark proposal that aims to provide Indigenous people the constitutional right to advise the government on policies and laws that directly impact them.
“She’s a stubborn personality, deeply convicted,” notes Indigenous leader Noel Pearson, emphasising that without her relentless efforts, the movement might not have made the strides it has.
Davis, aware of the mounting expectations and the escalating momentum of the referendum campaign, remains a combination of emotional, fatigued yet hopeful. She ardently believes that providing her people a say in policy-making will pave the way for improving their conditions.
Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians, expresses confidence in Davis’ role. “Megan is going to hold a very important chapter in the story of Australia,” she predicts.
With Davis at the helm of this monumental campaign, Australia stands on the brink of a potentially transformative constitutional change. The dedicated lawyer, who once was a young girl toting around a copy of the Constitution, is now poised to rewrite it, for the betterment of her people.
The episode is presented by Leigh Sales and produced by Olivia Rousset.
