‘I’ve had elders ring me and cry’: Voice debate weighs heavily on First Nations people

Indigenous leaders say the Voice debate is weighing heavily on First Nations people with the nature of the discussion turning ugly.

A leading grassroots No campaigner says the Fair Australia campaign has “hijacked” the “real” No vote from Indigenous people and says a lot of the Voice debate has turned into a “racist” discussion.

With only a week to go until Australians head to the polls to vote on the Voice, many Indigenous people and leaders say the Voice debate has turned ugly and is weighing heavily on them.

Narungga and Kaurna Actress, Natasha Wanganeen says she has had Elders call in her tears because of the “divisive” nature of the debate.

“I’ve had elders ring me and cry because they can’t understand why this is getting shoved on them and they keep getting told that this is a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’,” she said.

“She (Jacinta Price) keeps using that word, ‘divisive’, but she is the only one doing that.

“Any politician should really remember what they’re there for.

“They are there to make change for other people. They’re not there to bag them and turn everyone against each other and be divisive.”

Ms Wanganeen has been a strong figure in the South Australian Indigenous community for years and organises many events and rallies which often attracts thousands of people.

On Monday, she will join Premier Peter Malinauskas on the panel of the ABC’s Q&A in Adelaide to discuss the Voice referendum.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles, NSW Premier Chris Minns, WA Premier Roger Cook, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen, and SA Premier Peter Malinauskas. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

In Adelaide on Friday, Mr Malinauskas was joined by New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns, Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Northern Territory Chief Minister, Natasha Fyles.

All leaders reaffirmed their support for a Yes vote on October 14.

Mr Malinauskas and other leaders were asked by media in attendance if they were worried about how “nasty” the debate was getting after independent Senator Lidia Thorpe received threats and racist abuse from neo-Nazi’s in Melbourne this week.

“I’ve been advocating for civility to be a residing theme to the way people discuss their differences,” Mr Malinauskas said.

Lidia Thorpe has unleashed a furious response to being targeted in a disturbing video by a suspected neo-Nazi group threatening her and burning the Aboriginal flag

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton, Senator Michaelia Cash and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Pic Colin Murty

Meanwhile, Premier Allan condemned the treatment of Senator Thorpe and said its “completely unacceptable.”

“We all have the right to have a different view and a different opinion (but) we don’t have the right to express that in a way that causes harm, distress, concern and threats of violence.”

Senator Price told the Advertiser that the Voice debate had “absolutely” turned ugly.

“It’s brought out the ugliness of people across the country in this debate,” she said.

“We should have never got to a point in our country where people feel scared, afraid to air their opinions publicly and respectfully.

“But there are a lot of people who whisper, ‘I’m voting no’. Well it’s their right to do so, it’s their right to state that publicly if they wish, without the threat of losing their livelihood over them.”