Julian Leeser, the Shadow Attorney General and spokesperson for Indigenous Australians, has left the Liberal frontbench after the party decided to oppose the Voice in Parliament.
Today, Leeser disclosed that he had left the shadow cabinet to work on the Voice’s “yes” campaign.
This occurs after Peter Dutton, the leader of the opposition, declared that the Liberal Party would vote against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the next referendum.
Dutton stated last week that the Liberals would oppose the Voice while supporting First Nations peoples’ constitutional status.
The Liberals would promote a legislative approach for local and regional bodies rather than the government’s suggested model of a constitutionally protected Voice.
Liberal backbenchers are free to vote on matters as they see fit, but frontbenchers must abide by party room decisions.
After he and the party reached divergent conclusions regarding the Voice, L eeser stated during a news conference that he quit without “rancor or bitterness,” but rather out of “point of principle.”
It’s crucial and something we should all do, he said, to be able to tell his children someday, “Your father stood up for something he believes in.”
He declared that he didn’t totally support the prime minister’s approach and that he would advocate for some adjustments, including those to the referendum question’s phrasing.
While leaving the reach and authority of the Voice to parliament, Leeser suggested a different model last week during a speech at the Press Club to recognise the value of local and regional bodies and gain constitutional legitimacy without symbolic language.
Leeser said there is still a lot of work to be done even though he is leaving the frontbench.
He declared, “Today, my title changes, but my work doesn’t.”
For the remaining months of his parliamentary tenure, he said he wants to serve the residents of Berowra, make sure the Voice amendment has a stronger foundation before the referendum, and strive towards the election of a Liberal government in three years.
Leeser declared that while he would continue to be a devoted member of the Liberal Party, he would go to the backbenches in order to have the “freedom to champion an issue” he believed was crucial.
Following Ken Wyatt’s resignation from the Liberal Party due to the party’s decision to oppose the Voice, Leeser made his decision.
In a Facebook post, Leeser stated, “Nearly ten years ago, I worked on a proposal for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians with a small group of constitutional conservatives and Indigenous leaders.
The concept we came up with was original, natural, consistent with our constitutional background, and specifically Australian, created for Australian circumstances.
The plan was referred to as the Voice.It was about establishing common ground and developing a new structure to better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
“Over the past year, I have respectfully discussed the Voice with several of my legislative colleagues. Although I have heard their opinions and they have heard mine, I have not been able to convince them.
“At the Liberal Party, tradition is rooted in a respect for freedom and conscience.
Backbenchers are free to cast their votes on every piece of legislation in accordance with their moral convictions, whereas Shadow Ministers are constrained by the decisions of the Shadow Cabinet and the Party Room.
“Unlike practically every other party in the legislature, the Liberal Party allows backbenchers to freely advocate for the causes they support.
“I have left the Shadow Ministry because I want to run for office as a yes voter.
“I want to reassure you that I am still a devoted Liberal who is loyal to my party, the residents of Berowra, and Peter Dutton’s leadership.
“My decision to leave as a front-bencher has nothing to do with my personality; rather, it has to do with my commitment to a cause I have been pursuing for almost ten years.
“I’ve also made an effort to uphold my Liberal principles. my aim to work for improved results for Australians of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent while also preserving our institutions, such as the Australian Constitution.
“As a Liberal, I believe in the worth and potential of every Australian, and in the affirmation, appreciation, and empowerment of every Australian. In my opinion, better policy is created when the individuals who will be directly impacted by it are involved.
“I will be fighting for the revisions to the referendum language that I outlined in my speech to the National Press Club last Monday in the coming weeks.
“The Press Club concept for the Voice is constitutionally sound, acknowledges the primacy of Parliament in our constitutional system, and offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians a position in our founding text. The approach proposed by the government and its Referendum Working Group is enhanced by it.
This will raise its prospects of winning at the polls as well.
“I applaud Peter Dutton’s assistance, graciousness, and belief in me throughout the process.
“While travelling with Peter in my capacity as Shadow Minister, I observed him pay attention to and interact with Indigenous leaders and members of the community. I am aware of his sincere desire to better the lot of Indigenous Australians.
“On the Voice Referendum, however, we find ourselves in many positions. Good-willed people can disagree.
The referendum is not about politics, which is important. The Australian people, not the lawmakers, make the decision during a referendum. You will be asked to cast your vote for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice on a Saturday later this year.
“Changing the Constitution is a choice that every Australian has in Australia,”
