Honours recipient Penn calls for debate on Voice and Australia Day

Tom McIlroy and Hannah Wootton

Jan 25, 2023 – 10.30pm

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Former Telstra boss Andy Penn says moving the date of Australia Day should be on the national agenda, endorsing the Voice to parliament proposal as part of the nation’s journey to Indigenous reconciliation.

Made an officer of the Order of Australia in Thursday’s Australia Day honours, Mr Penn was recognised for distinguished service to business, charitable organisations, youth, and the arts. He stood down as chief executive of the telco in March 2022.

Tom McIlroy is the Financial Review’s Canberra bureau chief based in the press gallery at Parliament House. He was previously the AFR’s political correspondent.

Hannah Wootton is a Rear Window columnist, based in Melbourne.