Kristy McBain urges every mayor in Australia to back Voice referendum

A letter sent by the Local Government Minister urging every mayor in Australia to back the Voice referendum ‘doesn’t pass the pub test’, the Opposition says.

James Morrow

@pwafork

less than 2 min read

August 25, 2023 - 11:46AM

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A push to get councils to support the Yes campaign has left the Albanese government with “questions to answer” after it was revealed Local Government Minister Kristy McBain sent a letter to every mayor in Australia telling them why they should back the referendum.

The letter, sent electronically by PDF in July, told mayors that voting Yes would “help bring about practical change” and would be “legally sound”, despite many of the proposal’s own backers stating that if the Voice to Parliament were enacted it would lead to years of High Court challenges.

“We need to have conversations with our communities about why this change to our constitution is simple, fair and practical,” Ms McBain wrote to mayors, before directing them to an official Yes campaign website for more information.

Ms McBain’s letter also directed anyone with questions to contact one of her advisers for more information, despite AEC advice that Commonwealth agencies should not be used to advocate for either side of the referendum.

“This doesn’t pass the pub test,” Opposition education spokeswoman Sarah Henderson said.

Local Government Minister Kristy McBain with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Ministers should not be using the resources of their portfolios to advocate for one side of this already divisive referendum.”

“Its not good enough, and Minister McBain has questions to answer.”

However a spokesman for Ms McBain said she was responding to questions from constituents and stakeholders seeking information about the upcoming referendum, and the letter made this clear.

“All correspondence is consistent with both the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act and the Commonwealth authorisation guidelines,” the spokeswoman said.