‘Hopelessly divided’: Jacinta Price slams Voice wording

Senator Jacinta Price says she’s “not buying” Anthony Albanese’s tears, warns the Voice to Parliament “will divide forever on the basis of race” amid “no” vote push back.

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Picture: News Corp

• PM reveals wording of Voice referendum question

ANALYSIS

Northern Territory senator Jacinta Price has slammed the Albanese government’s proposed wording of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, saying the change “will divide Australians forever on the basis of race.”

“I am not buying the Prime Minister’s tears,” Ms Price said, referring to Mr Albanese’s emotional announcement of the official wording.

“He can put whatever spin on it he wants, but the proponents of the Voice and their political backers are hopelessly divided.”

“For some on the yes side, this serious change to the Constitution goes too far, for others it doesn’t go far enough.”

“But the exact form of words and the exact extent of the damage to the Constitution is beside the point.”

Anthony Albanese’s emotional announce, enmt of the official wording of the referendum question. Picture: Supplied

Ms Price, speaking in her capacity as spokeswoman for Fair Australia, said the proposed wording would give activists “a direct say over your elected government, as well as the Parliament.”

The comments came after Mr Albanese announced the wording, saying the Voice was a “modest request” and a “generous invitation.”

“This is not about symbolism, this is about recognition,” Mr Albanese said.

“This is about making a practical difference, which we have a responsibility to do.”

Mr Albanese said that the wording of the Voice would be as follows:

“There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;

“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

“The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.”

Dean Parkin, director of the Yes campaign, said, “Today’s outcome is a modest yet profound request, and one that will support the practical changes that we all hope to see.

“As Australians we have a shared story. This year we can come together and bring it to its full expression.”