Warren Mundine says pro-Voice case built on a ‘pack of lies’

Warren Mundine is expected to lash big companies like Qantas for their “symbolic” support for a Voice to Parliament campaign that is “built on a pack of lies” when he delivers a major address today. Watch the National Press Club speech now.

Warren Mundine is expected to lash big companies like Qantas for their “symbolic” support for a Voice to Parliament campaign that is “built on a pack of lies” when he delivers a major address to the National Press Club Tuesday.

According to a draft of the speech, seen by this masthead, Mr Mundine will to take aim at corporate Australia, saying that they must close the “enthusiasm gap” between the symbolism of the Voice and the practical realities on the ground in Aboriginal communities.

“Large corporates have been advocating for the Voice (but) when was the last time any of them raised awareness about violence and abuse in remote Aboriginal communities?,” Mr Mundine will say.

“When will Qantas paint one of its planes with a call to confront the violence and abuse of Aboriginal women and children in remote Australia?”

“Lots of well intentioned people are enthusiastic about the symbolism of the shiny new thing – the Voice – but when it comes to doing the challenging work on specific areas of need, the enthusiasm wanes.”

Dean Parkin, Qantas Chair of First Nations Network Fran Grant, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and Minister Linda Burney, Noel Pearson and Adam Goodes at the launch of the Qantas 'Yes' Campaign in Sydney. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Mr Mundine will also say that should the Voice come into being, it will lead to more rather than less segregation, “divided by race, permanently in conflict with each other over facts of history that cannot be altered”.

“This referendum presents additional choices for Indigenous Australians,” he is expected to say.

“Do we want our traditional nations, or mobs, made into one homogenised group?

A No rally held at Hyde Park in Sydney. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Do we want to be segregated as a race of people in the Constitution?

“Do we want to cede the fundamental principle of our cultures that no one speaks for another person’s country?

“Because that’s what this Referendum and the Uluru Statement is all about … (it is) a glossy marketing brochure for the misappropriation of culture, a misrepresentation of history, and for a radical and divisive vision of Australia.”

Mr Mundine’s speech will come amid growing doubts about the referendum’s chances when Australians go to the polls on October 14.

Major opinion polls published by Newspoll, Redbridge, and Freshwater over the past 72 hours all suggest the Yes camp is facing almost insurmountable odds.

Nyunggai Warren Mundine will make the speech today. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE/ Morgan Sette

According to Newspoll, just 36 per cent of voters surveyed said they intended to vote Yes, signalling a two point fall over the past three weeks despite pro-Voice rallies in capital cities and saturation ad campaigns.

The speech will also come against the backdrop of controversy around Mr Mundine’s recent comments about the likelihood of a treaty with Aboriginal Australians in the wake of a No vote, and questions about his own future as a possible Senate pick in NSW.

Mr Mundine will also hit back at claims that those campaigning against the Voice have “no plan” to improve the lives of Aboriginal Australians.

“The biggest lie of all is that the No campaign – people like Senator (Jacinta) Price, Senator (Kerrynne) Liddle, and myself – have no plan or even don’t want to improve Indigenous opportunity.

But, he will say, “nothing will change unless there is a focus on four critical areas” including “accountability, education, economic participation, and social change.”