Noel Pearson accuses Mick Gooda of ‘bed wetting’ over Yes campaign

Yes campaigner Noel Pearson has launched an attack on prominent Indigenous leader Mick Gooda over comments he made calling for compromise over the Voice model.

Yes campaigner Noel Pearson has launched an extraordinary personal attack on Indigenous leader and former social justice commissioner Mick Gooda, who he said is “bed-wetting” over the Voice campaign.

Mr Gooda, who headed up the Royal Commission into Youth Detention in the Northern Territory, had raised concerns the Voice will fail and urged the Yes campaign to compromise on inserting the words “executive government”.

Mr Pearson launched a dramatic rebuke of “little Mickey Gooda”, who he said was not involved in the process.

“He’s wetting the bed far too early in the day,” he said.

“This early bed wetting just when we are yet to start the campaign proper is not right and does not represent Indigenous people in the position he’s taken.”

Yes campaigner Noel Pearson. Picture: John Feder

Mr Pearson went on to attack Mr Gooda’s professional experience, saying the Royal Commission into Dondale “did not produce any change”.

“He can’t separate compromise from capitulation … the day that we allow someone like him to be the arbiter of the position of Indigenous people in negotiation with the parliament and the government is the day we give the whole game away.”

Prominent Indigenous leader Mick Gooda. Picture: Mathew Farrell

Mr Pearson admitted the Yes campaign was going through “heavy weather” but denied removing the words “executive government” would win them the vote.

It comes after recent polling found support for the Voice slipping as the debate rages on.
The Daily Telegaph has attempted to contact Mr Gooda for comment.