Voice to Parliament: Why David Littleproud doesn’t support move

Nationals leader and Maranoa MP David Littleproud has confirmed why his party doesn’t back the Voice to Parliament and moving Australia Day. It’s a stance prominent Indigenous voices have labelled a “cop out”.

This year’s debate around changing the date for Australia Day was arguably more significant than in previous years amid the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum.

Federal member for Maranoa David Littleproud said despite the mistakes of our past, Australia Day was a day of inclusivity and togetherness.

“You can’t change history. While there have been mistakes made in the past, we’re a stronger country from where we came from and by being together,” he said.

“While it is a day to reflect on some of the mistakes of the past, it’s important that the day is to celebrate what we’ve achieved and where, together, we can take our country.

Lane Brookes is a proud indigenous advocate and says now is the time for change.

“It’s a day to celebrate the country I love and reflect how lucky I am to have been born here.”

However there have been strong opinions on both sides of the debate in the Maranoa region, with Mandandanji activist Lane Brookes describing the day as “hurtful”.

“First, we are the only country in the world that celebrates our colonising date. Second, the rhetoric is always ‘let’s celebrate modern Australia and unity’,” Mr Brookes said.

He said mourning and reflecting on the mistakes of the past and celebrating a diverse, multicultural Australia are two streams of thought that can coexist, and one doesn’t trump the other.

“It’s a cop out. I’m 27-years-old and was born in 1995 and the public holiday is only one year older than me,” he said.

“I’m proud to be Australian. I love being here and being a First Nation Aboriginal person.

“But to celebrate a date, that has contributed to the detriment of my people… I’m not going to put my Aboriginality aside for one day.”

Lane Brookes at the Nation Dance held at the Yarning Circle on Bungil St

Mr Brookes said one of the proudest moments of his life was being named Roma’s Citizen of the Year in 2014, making him the first Aboriginal person and youngest person to win the award.

“It was a proud day for me, but we (Indigenous organisations) do them at all times of the year,” he said.

Mr Brookes said he tried to avoid looking at social media during this time of year.

“Australia Day and the debate is a green light for people to say racist and hurtful things,” he said.

“It’s a little bit hurtful seeing people within our communities with negative comments and quite drastically different views, I question a lot of friendships and relationships.

“After the Black Lives Matter article, a lot of people in the community said a lot of racist comments directed at me.

“I went down to the bakery and had a coffee with them and everyone kept asking why I would agree to speak with these people, but let me tell you, after that they could understand where I was coming from.

Federal member of Maranoa David Littleproud. Supplied.

“Having a conversation acknowledging both sides is so important and I always tell my son to listen with the intent of understanding, not with the intent of replying.”

Mr Littleproud said the Nationals’ stance on the Voice hasn’t changed since making the announcement late last year; however, he warned that Labor should reveal whether “the Voice, if passed, will change Australia Day”.

“Our position is not a malicious one but based on our lived experience of living and representing these communities,” he said.

“The Nationals don’t believe adding another layer of bureaucracy in Canberra will close the gap in rural and remote areas for Indigenous people, where disadvantage is the greatest,” he said.

“Labor should be transparent with the Australian people and inform the public whether or not the Voice, if passed, will change Australia Day.”

Mr Littleproud said alternative solutions to close the gap that the Nationals supported included reinstating alcohol bans, the Cashless Debit Card and providing economic empowerment through programs designed to create jobs for Indigenous people.