How the Goulburn Valley region’s most influential will vote on Voice
The Goulburn Valley’s most powerful people were asked for their take on the Voice, how they plan to vote and why. Here’s what they had to say.
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The Voice to Parliament referendum is set to take place on October 14, 2023.
Voters are going to be asked whether the Constitution should be altered to recognise the First Nations people.
We took to the streets of Shepparton — which has Victoria’s second largest Indigenous community after Melbourne — to find out how the city’s leaders were likely to vote.
Jim Andreadis
Shepparton philanthropist and businessman
YES
Mr Andreadis believes The Voice will have a positive impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
He said: “I believe the majority of Indigenous people I know believe it will improve their situation.”
Laura Binks
Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor
YES
Mayor Binks’ vote boils down to her vast experience in politics.
“Having worked in the government sector for many years, I know when we involve people that the decisions are being made about we get better outcomes.”
Lisa McKenzie
Former chief executive of Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project
YES
Asked why she was voting Yes, Ms McKenzie said “I think our nation can’t fully come of age until we address the shortfall in the way our Indigenous community is supported.”
Kim O’Keeffe
Shepparton state National MP
YES
Mrs O’Keeffe said she was voting yes but would not be lobbying either way.
“For the past months I have been following both sides of The Voice debate. I have met with our local elders, the Shepparton Reconciliation group and have had many discussions among the community. It is an individual choice on which way we vote and the choice that each of us make should be respected. It’s a democratic process and ultimately a decision will be made by the Australian people.
“I have always said that I will support our Indigenous community, and I stand by that. We have one of the largest Indigenous communities outside of Melbourne. A very high majority of the local Indigenous people that I have spoken with support The Voice to parliament.
I hope that we can all move through this process in a calm and considered manner.”
Shane Sali
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor
YES
Mayor Sali is voting yes in favour of The Voice, which represents the overall stance of the Greater Shepparton City Council.
Sam Birrell
Nicholls federal National MP
NO
Mr Birrell is on the record that he will be voting no, confirmed again by his media team.
The Nationals position is to oppose Labor’s proposal to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament in the Australian Constitution.
Robert Amos
Campaspe Shire Mayor
UNDECIDED
Mayor Amos and the Campaspe Shire Council are not taking a position on The Voice to parliament referendum.
The Campaspe Shire Council said its “encourage our community to inform themselves and respectfully exercise their democratic right to have their say. We appreciate there are divergent views on the matter within the community and we encourage residents to access information provided through reputable sources such as the Australian Government or the Australian Electoral Commission website to assist them in making their own considered and informed decisions.”
Bernie Hearn
Benalla Rural City Council Mayor
DECLINED TO ANSWER
Mayor Hearn declined to tell us whether she was voting yes or no, believing anonymity was a crucial part of our democratic values.
She said “I believe in anonymous voting and don’t think the public should be swayed by what prominent people have to say.”
Fiona Stevens
Mitchell Shire Council Mayor
DECLINED TO ANSWER
Councillor Stevens declined to answer whether she would be voting yes or no.
She said it was “a private matter.”
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