Anthony Albanese rejects ‘frankly diminishing’ Voice scare campaign

The Prime Minister has taken aim at those spreading “fear” about the Voice to Parliament amid concerns about flagging support.

Anthony Albanese has reiterated the Voice to parliament will not have the power to veto government, taking aim at fear campaigns for suggesting otherwise.

In the wake of lagging support in recent opinion polls, the Prime Minister called on those clinging to a “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality to consider the status quo is already “profoundly broken”.

“Indigenous people have an eight-year gap in life expectancy, a suicide rate twice as high, and rates of disease and infant mortality and family violence so much worse than those of the general community,” he said.

“Something that shakes me is that young men are more likely to go to jail than to go to university. They have among the worst incarceration rates in the world.

Mr Albanese reaffirmed his support for the Voice on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

“Only four out of the 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track. Four out of 19. These figures are a call-out to all of us to make this a national priority.”

The referendum, which would enshrine the advisory body in the constitution, is set to be put to the people between October and December.

Mr Albanese and Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney have faced a barrage of questions from the opposition about the extent of influence the Voice will have should Australians agree to establish the body.

On Friday, the Prime Minister sought to hose down concerns in an address to businesses leaders at the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce.

“I assure you that if the Voice was there when the Reserve Bank meets next week about interest rates they would not get on the phone to the Voice,” he said.

“They don’t get on the phone with the Prime Minister.

Mr Albanese said the Voice will not be able to pick up the phone to him. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

“Some of these fear campaigns are frankly diminishing of the people who make them.”

Mr Albanese stressed the referendum was a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a positive change” that will outlast Australians.

“It will not take away anything from our 122-year-old democracy. Instead, as the Solicitor-General has clearly stated, it will enhance our democracy,” the Prime Minister said.

“It is a small investment with such a great return. None of us has anything to lose. But we have something wonderful and so very real to gain.

“And with a Yes vote, it will lift us all.”

Originally published as Anthony Albanese rejects ‘frankly diminishing’ Voice scare campaign