‘It’s done’: Karl unloads on Voice campaign

Comments by a leading Voice campaigner suggesting No voters are motivated by “racism” have sparked heated scenes on breakfast TV.

Comments by a leading Voice proponent that have been interpreted as suggesting No voters are motivated by “racism” and “stupidity” have sparked heated scenes on breakfast TV, with Karl Stefanovic declaring the Yes campaign “done” and a Liberal Senator angrily asking her Labor counterpart, “Am I racist?”

Professor Marcia Langton made the controversial remarks at a forum in Bunbury, Western Australia on Sunday, saying that “every time the No cases raise their arguments, if you start pulling it apart you get down to base racism — I’m sorry to say that’s where it lands — or sheer stupidity”.

The comments, which were posted on Facebook in a since-deleted video, were quickly picked up by multiple media outlets suggesting she was attacking No voters as “stupid and racist”, as opponents of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament seized on the remarks as a campaign turning point.

Marcia Langton speaking at ECU South West campus. Picture: Bunbury Herald

Prof Langton has denied that was her meaning and says her words are being twisted, telling The Sydney Morning Herald that she was referring to the claims being made by the No case “appealing to Australians to frighten them into adopting highly racist and stupid beliefs”.

Appearing on Nine’s Today on Wednesday morning, Nationals Senator Matt Canavan called for an end to “petty name-calling”.

“I think Australians are sick and tired of being called racist for having an opinion,” he said.

“It’s been happening quite a bit during this debate. Whatever Marcia’s particular explanations here I don’t think we need to resort to this kind of language. Let’s just attack the arguments. I haven’t seen Marcia come out and say, ‘Exactly what are you talking about? What are the issues?’ Rather than use labels to deny somebody. I would hope the Prime Minister comes out here and calls for respectful debate.”

Today hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo. Picture: Nine

But Assistant Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said “selective” grabs were being taken from Prof Langton’s comments and accused the media of being irresponsible with “questionable articles, front pages, all of those things”.

She described Prof Langton as an “outstanding Australian” and pointed to her speech at the National Press Club where she went into detail about the Voice. “Australians, I’m sure if they did listen to her, would have heard, put simply, the Voice to Parliament has always been about an advisory committee,” she said.

“You know what I reckon here — I think Australians can see through all of this. We will find out on October 14 what they really think.”

Host Stefanovic asked, “I think it’s done, isn’t it?”

“Not at all,” Ms McCarthy said. “The voting hasn’t started yet and as always I certainly remain very optimistic in terms of where Australians see things. I have said from the beginning that referendums are hard to win. But also know that it doesn’t help with misinformation and disinformation.”

Liberal Senator Jane Hume. Picture: Sarah Marshall/NCA NewsWire

On Seven’s Sunrise, Liberal Senator Jane Hume clashed with Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, who also suggested Prof Langton’s comments “were taken a bit out of context”.

“What I’m frustrated about with the way the No campaign conducts itself sometimes is they want to talk about everything except what the referendum is actually about,” she said.

“This is the Yes campaign, Clare,” Ms Hume said.

“Sorry, Jane, if I could finish my sentence,” Ms O’Neil said. “This is really about the fact we have an eight- or nine-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians … an Indigenous mum is three times more likely to die in childbirth that a mum from another culture.”

The two began to talk over each other.

“Am I racist, Clare? Is that what you’re saying?” Ms Hume said.

Ms O’Neil hit back, “Jane, that’s a disgraceful thing to say. You should be debating the referendum.”

But Ms Hume said Prof Langton’s comments were “outrageous” and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “needs to condemn it”.

MP Sally Sitou at an under-18s Yes rally. Picture: Monique Harmer/NCA NewsWire

“I get it — Jane, if you don’t mind I would like to talk here,” Ms O’Neil said.

“Let me be clear — the No campaign want to talk about everything other than what the referendum is actually about and that is two simple things, recognition of our First Nations history and consultation with First Nations people about issues that affect them. It is a simple, generous ask and I ask Australians to vote Yes on October 14.”

Speaking on Sky News, Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley denied Prof Langton’s accusation that the No campaign was “using racism to peddle their deceitful wares”.

“Australians deserve explanations, not insults,” Ms Ley said.

“And this sounds very much like an insult to people who are in all good conscience considering, or have made up their mind, to vote No. These are good Australians, Australians who all want the best outcomes for Indigenous, First Australians and care very much about closing the gap and want to do the right thing.”

It comes after a poll by RedBridge Group released over the weekend found the Yes vote is in “free fall” and tracking at below 40 per cent in every state except Victoria.

And on Monday, a survey by Resolve Strategic published in The Sydney Morning Herald showed the overall No vote had grown to 57 per cent.

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Originally published as ‘It’s done’: Karl unloads on Voice campaign