Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Shaquille O’Neal slammed over joint press conference

Outspoken Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe lashed out at basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal for “interfering” in an issue that is “dividing” Indigenous Australians.

Indigenous Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe has accused former basketball star Shaquille O’Neal of disrespecting Aboriginal Australians after the NBA legend threw his support behind a Voice to Parliament during a bizarre press conference on Saturday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a brief press conference with the basketball great on Saturday in a bid to “mobilise support” and encourage young people to back the proposed First Nation’s voice.

O’Neal was only present at the conference for about 10 seconds but still managed to leave some viewers scratching their heads after he greeted the PM and Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney – and pulled her hand to his forehead.

He then said he wanted to let them know that “Shaq loves Australia.”

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney. Picture: Monique Harmer

Shaq pulled Burney hand to his forehead. Picture: Monique Harmer

The outspoken Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe lashed out at the U.S star on Sunday, accusing O’Neal of interfering in an issue that is dividing Aboriginal Australians in a social media post.

“Thought a Black man coming to our Country would be more respectful to First Nations people than interfering in what is a controversial topic, dividing our people,” Senator Thorpe said.

“Ill advised, hope you take the time to set it right.

“We don’t come to your country and interfere in your business.”

She added: “show some respect.”

Albanese’s decision to enlist O’Neal for the Voice to Parliament campaign has attracted criticism across the political aisle – with Nationals Leader David Littleproud accusing the government of focusing on symbolism.

“The voice should be about shifting the dial on domestic violence, on drug and alcohol use in these remote communities. And this is where the government’s got to be careful not to make this into a sideshow,” he said.

Lidia Thorpe accused O’Neal of interfering in an issue that is dividing Aboriginal Australians.

Indigenous Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has also blasted the press conference. Picture: Chris Pavlich

Littleproud’s colleague, Indigenous Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, also described O’Neal’s involvement in the campaign as “shallow” on Saturday.

“If the PM and Minister for Indigenous Australians thinks Shaq’s experience with “lifting people up who are marginalised” is the answer to winning Yes votes for the Voice then it demonstrates just how clueless and out of touch they both are with what the needs of Aboriginal Australians are,” the Country Liberal Senator said in a Facebook post.

But the government has argued O’Neal can help attract broad support for a First Nation’s voice.

“We want to build the broadest possible support and we want to engage with people who can connect with young people in particular, but with all sections of our society,” Mr Albanese said.

“Shaq has that record, particularly when it comes to bringing people together of different backgrounds which is consistent with our approach to a constitutionally recognised Voice to Parliament and recognising that Australian history didn’t begin in 1788.”

The government has indicated the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament will be held before the next election in three years’ time.

If successful, it would create a permanent Indigenous advisory body to the federal parliament.

Originally published as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Shaquille O’Neal slammed over joint press conference