Tag: The Voice

Liberals Take Principled Stance on the Voice, Will Australia Be Open to Listening?

Commentary Leadership requires the strength to say “NO” even when those around you clamour to proceed and can’t foresee the inherent danger. With opinion polling suggesting that Australians are positively disposed to supporting “The Voice” proposal to alter their Constitution, the Liberal/National Coalition has taken a strong, principled stand in opposing the proposal both on…


‘An Abrogation of Leadership’: Australian PM Responds to Liberal Decision Not to Back The Voice

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the Liberal Party’s decision not to back a federal Indigenous Voice to Parliament a “sad day.” In response to the opposition’s announcement that its party members were “overwhelmingly” against The Voice, Albanese cited criticism from Indigenous leader Noel Pearson who likened Liberal leader Peter Dutton to an “undertaker preparing…


A Resounding ‘No’: Liberal Party to Oppose Indigenous Voice to Parliament

An “overwhelming majority” of Liberal Party MPs have voted to oppose the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, according to opposition leader Peter Dutton. Dutton revealed the Australian centre-right Liberals will join its Coalition partner, the Nationals, in opposing a change to Australia’s Constitution after a two-hour party room meeting in Canberra. “We’ve been clear that we…


Liberal MPs Urged to Listen to Polls on Voice Support

A former Morrison government minister has issued a warning to his ex-colleagues ahead of a Liberal Party meeting to discuss the Indigenous voice proposal. Ken Wyatt, the first Indigenous Australian elected to the House of Representatives, said a lack of support from the Liberals for the voice could have consequences for the party in future…


‘Unending Conflict’: Former Labor Minister Warns of Clash Between ‘The Voice’ and Native Title Holders

Native Title holders are concerned that an Indigenous Voice to Parliament could erode their hard-fought gains, says former Keating Labor government minister Gary Johns. The now-author on Indigenous affairs and committee member of the No Campaign against The Voice says he has spoken to Aboriginal Native Title holders who are worried a new layer of…


‘Yes’ Campaign for Changing Australia’s Constitution Officially Launched

The official “Yes” campaign has been launched to support changing Australia’s Constitution to include an “advisory body” for Indigenous peoples. The campaign was launched at the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute in Adelaide on Feb. 23 by the From the Heart organisation. Semara Jose, a member of the campaign, said the launch would send a…


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…


South Australia Introduces Bill for Indigenous Voice to Parliament

South Australia is the first Australian State to introduce the First Nations Voice Bill, which will likely be legislated by the state’s parliament by Easter. The state’s Attorney-General and Indigenous Australians Minister Kyam Maher, who introduced the First Nations Voice Bill 2023 (pdf) on Feb. 9, said the Bill was an “historic change” following months…


South Australia Goes It Alone to Embed Indigenous ‘Voice’ Into Its Parliament

South Australia (SA) will forge ahead with its own Indigenous Voice to Parliament, legislated through the SA Parliament, in a move that will likely add a major layer of red tape to government decision-making. The announcement by the SA Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas comes as his federal counterparts look set to push forward a national…


Australian PM Cites Jan. 6 Riots in Bid to Win Support for Changing the Constitution

Avoiding an incident like the Jan. 6 Capitol riots in Australia is one reason why voters should support a major alteration to the country’s Constitution, says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. In his latest bid to win over the public for The Voice to Parliament proposal, the prime minister claimed such a “sensible” change would protect…