Category: Linda Burney

Indigenous Minister Rules Out Debate on Changing Australia’s Constitution

Australia’s Indigenous Minister Linda Burney has ruled out an offer to debate her opposition counterpart Jacinta Nampijinpa Price surrounding Labor’s proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Burney claimed such a debate would be a fruitless attempt by the Liberal-National Coalition to spur uncertainty and division around the upcoming referendum. “This is about Australians, not politicians. It’s…


Indigenous Minister Says Changing Constitution Is Not About a ‘Culture War’

Australia’s Indigenous Minister Linda Burney has been forced to reassure voters that a contentious change to the country’s Constitution will not result in wide powers being used to affect everyday people’s lives. The Labor minister faced probing questions over the extent of power an Indigenous advisory body to parliament will receive if a national referendum…


‘Trump Politics’: Minister Pans Opponents of The Voice

Australia’s Indigenous Minister Linda Burney has accused campaigners against changing the country’s Constitution of engaging in “Trump politics” and distributing misinformation. Burney directed the withering comments against “No” campaigners who oppose the Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal. The proposal will change the preamble of the Australian Constitution to include recognition of Indigenous people and will…


Minister Accuses Opponents of The Voice of ‘Trump Politics’

Australia’s Indigenous Minister Linda Burney has accused campaigners against changing the country’s Constitution of engaging in “Trump politics” and distributing misinformation. Burney directed the withering comments against “No” campaigners who oppose the Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal. The proposal will change the preamble of the Australian Constitution to include recognition of Indigenous people and will…


Labor Needs to Clarify Indigenous Definition in Australia: Coalition

Opposition Indigenous Australians spokesman Julian Leeser says the Labor Albanese government needs to clarify the definition of Aboriginality to determine who can sit on a voice to parliament. In a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this year, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton asked 15 questions of the proposed voice, including whether the government will confirm the definition…


Australia Appoints First Nations Ambassador in Bid to ‘Progress Indigenous Rights Globally’

The Australian federal government has announced the country’s First Nations ambassador in an attempt to elevate Indigenous rights to the world stage. The move comes as the Labor government continues to push for greater Indigenous representation in politics, despite it already having an Indigenous Australians Minister and 17 major Indigenous organisations and programs at the…


US Interior Secretary Commends Australia’s Efforts to Reconcile ‘Tragic History’ of Indigenous Abuse

U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has met with Australia’s Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney discussing the road to reconciliation for Australia’s Aboriginal communities. Haaland, an Indigenous woman from the southwest United States, visited Canberra at the end of a weeklong trip to Australia. At a joint press conference with Haaland at Parliament House, Burney said,…


Australian Government Spends $424 Million to ‘Close the Gap’ between Society and Indigenous Community

The Australian government has announced a $424 million (US$293 million) plan to improve the well-being of Indigenous people with a focus on clean drinking water and support for domestic violence survivors. The announcement coincides with the 15th anniversary of the former Kevin Rudd government’s formal apology to Australia’s Indigenous people over the Stolen Generation–those who…


Simplicity of Question ‘Fundamental’ in Referendum for Indigenous Voice to Australian Parliament

Australian Indigenous affairs minister Linda Burney has stressed the importance of simplicity in terms of the question that Australians will face in a referendum on whether an indigenous voice to parliament should be enshrined in the constitution. Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Commission on Monday, Burney said that as prime Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had…


Indigenous Australian Musician Archie Roach Dies Aged 66

Celebrated Aboriginal musician Archie Roach has died in hospital aged 66 after a long battle with illness. The Gunditjmara-Bundjalung elder’s death was confirmed in a statement from his sons Amos and Eban Roach, distributed by the late singer’s management agency the Mushroom Group on Saturday. “We are so proud of everything our dad achieved in…