The history books show that no Australian referendum has ever been successful without support from both major political parties.
Peter Dutton’s decision to oppose the Voice back in April has had a significant impact on the Voice’s chance of success.
This Saturday, Australia will go to the polls to vote on whether to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Australian Constitution and include a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, which would give Indigenous people a direct line to make recommendations to the government on matters that affect their communities.
On today’s episode of The Briefing, the leader of the Opposition sits down with Tom Tilley to explain his reasoning for a No vote.
I think we demonstrated that in January of this year when I wrote to the Prime Minister just with fifteen basic questions and he still has not provided answers to those questions. I’ve had lots of conversations with the Prime Minister in private. I’ve asked for the detail. He said the detail wasn’t forthcoming.
Dutton also reflects on what he thinks a No result will mean for the country, and what alternative policies he suggests will improve the lives of Indigenous Australians.
I want indigenous Australians to hear a very clear message from, I think, millions of Australians. This is not a rejection of a desire to see Indigenous people live a better life in regional areas. Quite the opposite, and I think every Australian wants to see a better outcome for people who live in regional and remote areas.
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