Anthony Albanese has branded it “dumb” to suggest outcomes for Indigenous Australians can improve without a voice to parliament in the constitution, muscling up to conservative critics of the referendum proposal.
The prime minister made the comment in a testy interview on 2GB Radio, warning that media have a responsibility not to “raise red herrings” and urging Australians to read about the actual question for themselves.
After the campaign yes and no pamphlets were published by the Australian Electoral Commission on Tuesday, Albanese said the yes case “is positive” and “doesn’t misquote anyone” or “attempt to verbal anyone as [constitutional academic] Greg Craven was with the no pamphlet”.
‘Deeply misleading’: legal expert furious no campaign used his previous voice concerns in pamphletRead more
Broadcaster Ben Fordham repeatedly asked Albanese why the government is not proposing symbolic constitutional recognition and legislating the voice, urging him not to “risk” recognition “by getting it tied up with the voice”.
“I’m a pragmatic guy,” Albanese replied, adding that “Indigenous Australians themselves … don’t just want recognition, the symbolism of recognition”. “They want something that will make a practical difference to their lives.”
Albanese said the proposal “hasn’t come from politicians” but rather the Uluru statement from the heart.
When Fordham suggested that the constitutional change will create “an exclusive group and the voice will have influence not afforded to other sections of society”, Albanese responded that “talking about Indigenous Australians having special rights ignores the fact that this is the most disadvantaged group in Australia”.
“There is an eight-year life expectancy gap. There is a greater chance of Indigenous young male going to jail than going to university.”
Albanese was asked a series of hypotheticals, including how he would respond if the voice asked to lower the pension age for Indigenous Australians. He replied it would be up to government to make decisions “based on representations”.
Albanese said the government had “no plans” to change Australia Day, and “of course” it will say no if it doesn’t agree with the voice “as is made very clear by the wording that’s been put forward is the parliament remains supreme”.
Asked about Thomas Mayo’s suggestion the voice will help pressure governments to “pay the rent”, Albanese said he disagreed with compensation, answering “no” when asked if there will be reparations for First Nations Australians.
Asked about Megan Davis’ claim the voice could make representations to the Reserve Bank, Albanese ruled it out: “Well, I can’t talk directly to the RBA board, and I’m the prime minister. No, Ben.”
Both those claims are contained in the official no pamphlet, with Davis’ quote on the RBA in the section subtitled “no issue is beyond its scope” and Mayo’s on…
2023-07-18 21:04:21
Article from www.theguardian.com