‘Rubbish’: Lidia Thorpe slams Voice in Blak Sovereign Movement’s referendum material

Lidia Thorpe’s political movement has handed down its view on the Voice to parliament pamphlets, saying voters are being “coerced”.

Lidia Thorpe says Australians should not be “emotionally blackmailed” into supporting the Voice to parliament.

Representing the Blak Sovereign Movement, Senator Thorpe has slammed the official pamphlets for the Yes and No campaigns, released this week, for the upcoming referendum.

Despite urging Australians to vote no, BSM was excluded from the No camp’s document.

The BSM released its document on Thursday.

“The Voice debate is not just a waste of resources, it is a waste of your time and energy,” the document says.

“Something that pretends to be a great change, but provides none, is not a step in the right direction.

“When something isn’t real it is not better than nothing. The Voice is nothing but cheap window dressing to constitutional recognition.”

BSM and Lidia Thorpe have argued that the Voice is “powerless”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Vote Yes campaign says the new body would bring about change and close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

BSM’s said “many well-meaning folk” have been “coerced” to support it or scared of voting no “due to the racism of the conservative No campaign”.

The official Yes pamphlet, which includes endorsements from Indigenous sporting legends Johnathan Thurston, Eddie Betts and Evonne Goolagong Cawley, says voting Yes will ensure a better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and will make a positive difference.

They argue the voice will be a committee of First Nations people who will give advice to parliament about issues affecting their community.

Chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their local area, representatives will come from every state and territory and will serve for a fixed period.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not revealed the date the referendum will be held yet. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The No campaign has argued that the Voice is legally risky, focusing on the unknown areas and urging wavering voters that “if you don’t know, vote no”.

“Enshrining a voice in the Constitution for only one group of Australians means permanently dividing our country,’’ the material states.

BSM have urged Australians to turn away from the voice that is a “waste of resources” that absolves the government “of its continued crimes”, instead arguing for truth-telling and Indigenous sovereignty.

“Do not be bullied by the Yes campaign and do not be intimidated by the racists. Do not let yourself be emotionally blackmailed. There are many good reasons to say No,” the response states.

Originally published as ‘Rubbish’: Lidia Thorpe slams Voice in Blak Sovereign Movement’s referendum material