If the Voice to Parliament vote is lost and the Coalition is elected to power at the next election, opposition leader Peter Dutton has vowed to seek a second referendum on the constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.
Dutton has played a key role in the opposition to including a Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, arguing that it would interfere with governmental operations and have minimal impact on the lives of Indigenous Australians living in rural and isolated areas.
“Putting a voice in the Constitution is divisive, it will split the nation in two, and it won’t produce the useful results,” he claimed.
Because of the general language, “it will change how government operates very significantly, and I believe it would grind government decision-making to a near halt.”
The Coalition leader outlined his alternative ideas, saying he was in favour of local advisory bodies being established in rural and distant areas as well as the recognition of Indigenous Australians in the Constitution, but not through a national advisory body.
“We went into the last election and a number of elections before that with that as our policy and that will be our policy going into the next election as well,” he said.
“I believe that recognising Indigenous Australians in the Constitution is just and honourable. To identify common ground, we shall cooperate with the Labour Party.
Despite criticising the upcoming referendum’s $450 million cost to taxpayers, saying it would be “better spent building boarding houses” in outlying communities, he said his party would commit to holding another referendum during its first term in office if the vote on October 14 is lost.
Dutton’s declaration was made the same day the Uluru Dialogue unveiled their Yes campaign advertisement incorporating the popular song You’re The Voice by John Farnham.
The announcement made by the Yes campaign in Farnham was utilised by the opposition leader to emphasise his opposition to the campaign.
Because the song’s major line is “You’re the voice, try to understand it,” he remarked, “in a way, it’s the appropriate song for the Yes campaign.”
Most Australians, in my opinion, don’t comprehend it.
“The prime minister has been very clear that he is withholding information until after the election.”
The Voice to Parliament is an advisory body chosen by Indigenous people, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who also stated it won’t have any direct veto authority over the legislature. However, he didn’t say how the committee would be picked.
Dutton claimed that the Indigenous elders he has spoken to in rural and regional communities back his alternative suggestions, but Uluru Dialogue strategic advisor Kristie Parker said it was obvious he wasn’t paying attention to the Indigenous community.
The opposition leader is recommending spending the same amount of money on something that won’t impact lives, Parker said, despite the fact that some have claimed that the referendum is an expensive exercise.
“That’s the worst use of Australian taxpayer money,” someone said.
