Linda Burney is concerned about “fairly unsavoury things” opponents to the Indigenous voice have aired during the referendum campaign as the government engages with mental health organisations to support Aboriginal people hurt by the debate.
The Indigenous Australians minister accused the main no campaign of seeking to mislead voters and the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, of “bullyboy tactics” as she pleaded with the public to carefully consider their ballot.
Thousands rally around Australia in support of voice despite polls suggesting decline in yes voteRead more
“Do not let the no campaign get away with using Trump-style politics in Australia. Do not let them divide us,” Burney told the National Press Club on Wednesday.
Burney’s major speech said the voice would improve decision-making and efficiency on Indigenous issues. She said previous Indigenous advisory groups had not worked, but that the proposal for the voice would “do better than past bodies”.
Burney said she would ask the voice to focus on Indigenous housing, health, employment and education; but reiterated that specific details about the body – such as whether it would be limited to only advise on those areas – would be decided after further consultation with Indigenous communities.
Burney’s sharpest oratory, however, was targeted at voice opponents in the parliament and the Fair Australia campaign, run by conservative lobby group Advance.
“It is post-truth. Its aim is to polarise, to sow division in our society by making false claims including that providing advice to government would somehow impact the fundamental democratic principle of one vote, one value. A claim designed to mislead,” she said.
“My social media, as you can imagine, attracts trolls who accuse me of things like trying to set up an apartheid state.”
The Indigenous affairs shadow minister and no campaign leader Jacinta Nampijinpa Price described Burney’s speech as “arrogant”.
“The good news is that mainstream Australians are wise to the division the yes campaign is trying to enshrine in our national rulebook,” Price said.
“We will not be standing idly by while Ms Burney launches her elitist attacks from the comfort of the Canberra Press Club.”
The government has been heavily critical of claims from the opposition that the voice would “re-racialise” Australia, or that its input could end Australia Day, Anzac Day, or the federal budget.
Burney said she was not contemplating the referendum failing, but conceded there may be ongoing effects beyond the campaign. Mental health organisations and social media experts have already voiced major concerns over racist abuse of Indigenous Australians online and the lingering effects of the ongoing debate.
skip past newsletter promotion
after newsletter promotion
Burney said there was “nothing to fear” regarding the voice, but that the government was mindful of other impacts, noting budget funding for Indigenous mental health around…
2023-07-05 02:31:30
Article from www.theguardian.com
rnrn