The Albanese government has been consistently criticised for trying to keep detail of its proposed “Indigenous Voice” from voters. Which, when we’re voting to change the Constitution, is just not good enough. Such a momentous change demands an informed vote.
That’s the last thing the government obviously wants. And no surprise: the more we learn, the clearer it becomes just what a disaster we’re potentially facing. As recently revealed, the full 26 pages of the Uluru Statement, the founding document of the referendum, which have been kept secret until this week, are horrifying. They amount to no less than a demand to dismantle the Australian state and impose a punishing racialised regime of land grabs, taxes, and controls.
No wonder the Yes campaign are so desperate to avoid scrutiny: every time they open their mouths, they dig themselves in further and expose more of the radical race revolution they have planned.
A member of Anthony Albanese’s referendum advisory group says the AUKUS nuclear submarine project has the potential to impact Indigenous communities, signalling she backs the voice to parliament advising government on the key pillar of Australia’s defence policy.
Artist Sally Scales said Aboriginal communities should be consulted on aspects of the nuclear subs deal, including where they will be docked.
This directly contradicts flat denials just last week from another member of the referendum advisory group, Noel Pearson.
Mr Pearson told a La Trobe University event the constitutional amendment – which states the voice would make representations on “matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples” – was unlikely to extend to issues such as parking fines and submarines, a rejection of a key No campaign argument.
It also exposes yet more lying and dodging from PM Albanese and Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney. Just last month, Burney was asked directly in parliament whether the Voice would have a say in military acquisitions or the location of bases. Burney dodged the question, saying instead that it wouldn’t be “giving advice on changing Australia Day”. Not only was that answer a total furphy, but it was quickly exposed as a lie by Voice advisors themselves. Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley called on Burney to correct her claims, to avoid misleading parliament.
It looks like she’s suddenly got a lot more correcting to do.
Meanwhile, the scope of the Voice just keeps growing and growing.
Referendum working group member and UNSW law professor Megan Davis said the voice “would be able to speak to all parts of the government”.
“(This includes) the cabinet, ministers, public servants and independent statutory offices and agencies – such as the Reserve Bank, as well as a wide array of other agencies including, to name a few, Centrelink, the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority and the ombudsman.”
The Australian
Is there anything this unelected body of racially separated Aboriginal overlords won’t be able to do?
Opposition leader Peter Dutton is losing no opportunity to hammer the government.
Peter Dutton has broadened the No campaign’s attack against Anthony Albanese and the Indigenous voice to parliament, attempting to link the Prime Minister’s competency and management of the referendum to delivering government services and cost-of-living relief […]
The clash followed a motion moved by Mr Dutton – which was voted down by 90 to 52 – condemning Mr Albanese “for his complete inability to be upfront and honest with the Australian people” on the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and attacking Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney for treating the parliament “with contempt by repeatedly and consistently failing to answer direct questions”.
Mr Dutton questioned if the Prime Minister had any coherent explanation to Australians as to how the voice would work, what outcomes it would deliver, its breadth, and how it would be interpreted by the High Court and change a system of government.
The Australian
Of course there’s no detailed, coherent explanation. If they came right out and told the whole truth about what they’re up to, the referendum would be dead and buried tomorrow.