‘It’s not about liberation’: Treaty protesters accuse Voice voters of ‘neglect’ as Albo marches in Labour Day rally

Protesters calling for a treaty in place of a Voice to parliament have faced off with Anthony Albanese at a Labour Day rally, accusing those voting yes in the referendum of “neglecting” First Nations Peoples.

Protesters have stalled a major Labour Day march through the streets of Brisbane, demanding Anthony Albanese bring a treaty before a Voice to parliament and voicing their opposition to the widely-touted policy.

The Prime Minister joined thousands of people marching through the Queensland capital alongside Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for the state’s Labour Day celebrations.

Union groups were met with protesters to Mr Albanese’s Voice to parliament proposal at the start of the procession at Wharf and Turbot Sts.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the Labour Day march in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

One treaty advocate could be heard yelling that those who vote yes in the upcoming referendum into whether a Voice to parliament were neglecting First Nations People.

He was heard yelling “it’s not about liberation, it’s about freedom” as people passed by.

Australians will vote in late 2023 on whether Indigenous communities should have a say in policy and legal decisions that impact their lives.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says workers rights are a priority. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lead the Labour Day march in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Speaking to the Labour Day crowd, Mr Albanese said the Queensland holiday was always a “big celebration” in the state.

“It’s a commemoration of all that has been achieved over such a long period of time,” he said.

“(It’s about) a commemoration of working people struggling to achieve decent wages and conditions, to deliver changes in occupational health and safety to make sure they can return home at work after putting in a fair day’s work with a fair day’s pay,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk marched along tens of thousands of people through Brisbane on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Ms Palaszczuk said she was there to support those marching and encourage “long term jobs”.

“We’re marching today proudly with the workers of this state,” she said.

Other groups joining the march on Monday including the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union Queensland and United Firefighters Union QLD Branch.

More to come.

Originally published as ‘It’s not about liberation’: Treaty protesters accuse Voice voters of ‘neglect’ as Albo marches in Labour Day rally