How Geelong’s leaders will be voting in the Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum
A Geelong councillor says she will not vote in the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum because she refuses to “engage with a fraudulent shadow government”.
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A Geelong councillor says she will not vote in the upcoming Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum because she refuses to “engage with a fraudulent shadow government”.
Kardinia ward councillor Belinda Moloney, elected in 2020 under the Put Climate First banner, said voting in the October 14 referendum “would insinuate that I permit someone else to govern me, which I do not acquiesce”.
“I do not engage with the fraudulent shadow government pretending to act on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia,” she said.
Dr Moloney, who receives a $38,316 annual allowance from the City of Greater Geelong, was one of 53 political and business leaders asked by the Geelong Advertiser about how they would vote in referendum.
Of the leaders asked, 23 said they would vote yes, 19 did not respond before deadline, two said they would vote no and five provided comment but not did disclose how they would be voting.
Four declined to comment, and the views of others, such as deputy prime minister Richard Marles, aren’t hard to ascertain.
Councillors Kate Gazzard (Surf Coast), mayor Isabelle Tolhurst (Queenscliffe) and councillor Jim Mason (Geelong) have publicly endorsed The Voice.
Dr Moloney oversees City Hall’s multicultural portfolio and sits on council’s multicultural action plan committee.
She disagreed that the views of elected officials should be transparent.
“I disagree that it is important that you providecouncillors with an opportunity to share their beliefs, as a councillor’s individual preference has no weight on another’schoice to participate in this attempted takeover,” she said.
Dr Moloney did not specify what “takeover” she was referringto.
A number of other prominent figures across the region would not disclose how they would vote, including Geelong Mayor TrentSullivan.
“I will be making an informed, educated vote and I encourage all residents to do the same,” he said.
Liberal MPs Sarah Henderson and Bev McArthur opposed the proposed advisory body, with Senator Henderson describing it as “legallyrisky, divisive, unknown and permanent”.
Surf Coast councillor Paul Barker is also against The Voice.
However, their views were not shared by many of the responses received by the Geelong Advertiser.
Geelong deputy mayor Anthony Aitken said he was voting yes, doing so because “we cannot do nothing and expect things willchange”.
“I am a son of Geelong’s northern suburbs and I learnt to care for others … if you care, you will vote ‘Yes’,” Mr Aitken said.
Brett Winter and Bill Mithen, chief executives of GeelongPort and Give Where You Live, respectively, both voiced their support for The Voice, as did G21 chief executive Giulia Baggio and businessman and former mayor Keith Fagg.
Geelong Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jeremy Crawford, said he had “absolute clarity” about how he would be voting,and urged voters to be informed and educated on the referendum, a sentiment echoed by Committee for Geelong chief executive Michael Johnston.
How your leaders will vote:
CITY OF GREATER GEELONG
Mayor Trent Sullivan: UNDISCLOSED
I will be making an informed, educated vote and I encourage all residents to do the same.
Cr Anthony Aitken: YES
Everyone should make an informed decision, but I am voting “Yes” because we cannot do nothing and expect things will change.
I am a son of Geelong’s northern suburbs and I learnt to care for others. Aboriginal Australians do need our help, If youcare, you will vote “Yes”
Cr Peter Murrihy: YES
I believe we have an obligation to recognize our First Nations people as the Traditional Owners and Carers of this Countryand a YES in this referendum goes someway in supporting this and gives them a Voice in Parliament.
Cr Sarah Hathway: YES
Because increased representation of First Nations voices on issues that impact them, such service provision for healthcare,education etc, can only be a positive thing. Having said that, having an advisory voice to Parliament is not a silver bulletto closing the gap, preventing deaths in custody or reducing the rate of children being removed from their families. Is theadvisory group actually going to be listened to? What happens if it’s not? How representative will the advisory voice be ofFirst Nations communities? There is still plenty of work to be done after the implementation of an advisory voice.
Cr Elise Wilkinson: YES
I will be voting Yes to a Voice to Parliament. Yes to recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people in our Constitutionand paying respect to 65,000 years of culture and tradition. Enshrined in Constitutional change so that it is not vulnerableto change in Government.
Yes to listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people about issues that that affect their lives so that governmentcan make better decisions.
I want to work towards healing with our First Nations people and feel proud of our nation. I want to honour Voice, Truth Tellingand Treaty. I want to be a strong ally.
Cr Bruce Harwood: NO RESPONSE
Cr Eddy Kontelj: NO RESPONSE
Cr Jim Mason: YES
Mr Mason did not respond, but has indicated on social media he will be voting ‘Yes’.
Cr Ron Nelson: NO RESPONSE
Cr Melissa Cadwell: NO RESPONSE
Cr Belinda Moloney: WILL NOT VOTE
I’m not voting at all, as that would insinuate that I permit someone else to govern me, which I do not acquiesce.
Surf Coast Shire
Mayor Liz Pattison: YES
I will be voting Yes to the Voice to Parliament. Our Council has declared its support for constitutional recognition througha voice to parliament. It is a just and timely path to take.
Cr Gary Allen: YES
It is disturbing to continue to learn of the poor or declining health and educational outcomes for First Nations people, particularlywhen you consider that the many billions
of dollars spent and the often heard rhetoric, are having little or no effect.
This in my view is partly because we remove decision-making from those who understand the problem and in the realm of Indigenousaffairs we have far too long taken a paternalistic-approach.
Cr Paul Barker: NO
Mr Barker did not respond, however, HE has indicated he will be voting ‘No’.
Cr Kate Gazzard: YES
Ms Gazzard has endorsed the Voice to Parliament.
Cr Rose Hodge: YES
To ensure the oldest culture is heard, to become an inclusive and United nation. Respect and fairness.
Cr Adrian Schonfelder: YES
Akin to the Prime Minister and all state Premiers I will be voting yes.
Australia has one of the highest standards of living in the world and closing the gap, improving the conditions of and thereconciliation process of First Nations People is important.
Cr Libby Stapleton: YES
Why? It’s simple really. Australia is the only country that is yet to acknowledge its First Nations people in their constitution.
It’s time that we genuinely embrace the rich, long history and culture of our First Nations people, and listen to their voicesin a more meaningful way.
Cr Heather Wellington: UNDISCLOSED
I don’t believe the majority of the community wants or needs ‘leadership’ on this issue from local government councillors,whose role does not extend to addressing federal constitutional issues. As a private individual I will be happy to share myviews with anyone who seeks them, but as a councillor I don’t intend to share them with the community at large.
BOROUGH OF QUEENSCLIFFE
Mayor Isabelle Tolhurst: YES
Ms Tolhurst did not provide comment, but has previously endorsed the ‘Yes’ vote.
Cr Rob Minty: NO RESPONSE
Cr Ross Ebbels: NO RESPONSE
Cr Donnie Grigau: NO RESPONSE
Cr Michael Grout: YES
I believe the proposal is a safe and reasonable change in our constitution to provide appropriate recognition, as requestedby the consensus of First Nations people in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE
Mayor Brett Cunningham: UNDISCLOSED
As the Golden Plains Shire has not resolved a position on the Voice to Parliament Referendum, I hope that you will understandthat as a current elected councillor I don’t think it is appropriate for me to make a comment regarding how I will personallybe voting at the upcoming referendum.
Cr Gavin Gamble: NO RESPONSE
Cr Helena Kirby: NO RESPONSE
Cr Clayton Whitfield: NO RESPONSE
Cr Owen Sharkey: YES
I will be voting yes to aid in protecting the indigenous Voice from politics and bureaucrats by putting it in the constitution.
Cr Les Rowe: NO RESPONSE
Cr Ian Getsom: NO RESPONSE
MAJOR ORGANISATIONS
COMMITTEE FOR GEELONG CEO Michael Johnstone: UNDISCLOSED
There are some uncomfortable truths in our nation’s history. This referendum provides an opportunity for all of us to learnmore and understand the impacts of colonisation on our First Nations people. It provides an opportunity to consider how wecan design a better future for all of us. The Committee for Geelong represent a wide array of member organisations who willform their own views. How an individual votes is a personal decision; that must be respected.
G21 CEO Giulia Baggio: YES
More than 5000 First Nations people have made their home in the Geelong-G21 region which sits in the traditional lands ofthe Wadawurrung, Gulidjan and Gadabanud peoples. Logically, this local voice - our voice - should be represented formallyand permanently in Canberra to bring more health, education and employment investment into our region. A yes vote will cementthis pathway, giving us all a chance to do better, together.
COTTON ON OWNER AND FOUNDER Nigel Austin: UNAVAILABLE TO COMMENT
DEAKIN UNIVERSITY VC Iain Martin :YES
Mr Martin directed the Geelong Advertiser to his March statement regarding the Voice to Parliament referendum. “Our Executiveteam and governing Council (at Deakin) believe strongly that supporting a Yes position in the referendum for the Voice toParliament is an extension of our support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and we encourage all members of the Deakincommunity to fully participate in the process,” the statement read.
VIVA ENERGY CEO Scott Wyatt: NO RESPONSE
AVALON AIRPORT CEO Tony Brun: DECLINED TO COMMENT
CULTURA CEO Joy Leggo: NO RESPONSE (ON LEAVE)
TOURISM GREATER GEELONG AND THE BELLARINE: Executive Director Tracy Carter: NO RESPONSE (ON LEAVE)
GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE: CEO Bill Mithen: YES
The proposal is a modest solution to a challenge that we’ve been wrestling with for decades and decades and decades. Acrossall political allegiances, across the country full stop, there is general consensus that we need to ‘close the gap’. Yet whateverwe’ve done in the past hasn’t been able to achieve that. The Voice is something different; it just enshrines the fact thatwe’re gonna listen to the people who are affected the most by those poor outcomes, and enshrining listening feels like themost unifying thing that we could do.
GEELONGPORT CEO Brett Winter: YES
I will certainly be voting yes, from my personal perspective. We’ve done a lot of work with Wathaurong over the last few yearsin particular, they’ve been very generous with their time, helping us better understand Indigenous issues, and more broadlyhelping us implement our reconciliation action plan.
I feel, from a personal perspective, the Voice is a really important step forward as far as indigenous issues are, as is ensuringthere is an independent Voice to Parlimant to carry those views forward in a meaning way.
KEITH FAGG, Businessman and former Geelong mayor: YES
The years I spent working with Yolngu (Aboriginal) people in Arnhem Land in the early 1980s taught me that they fundamentallyhave the answers if only us Balanda would stop and listen.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CEO Jeremy Crawford: UNDISCLOSED
The Geelong Chamber encourages all business leaders, owners, and members of the public to take personal responsibility forbeing informed and educated on referendum.
It is incumbent on all of us to be accountable for our own vote, to make each vote count towards a very important decisionin our history.
POLITICIANS
Ella George, Lara MP: YES
I’m voting Yes because I know that when governments listen, we get better outcomes. When First Nations people have a sayon issues that impact them, I know that governments will make better decisions and we will get better results.
Darren Cheeseman, South Barwon MP: YES
On October 14, I’ll be voting yes. I’ll be voting yes because it’s the right thing to do and because I believe in a futurewhere Australia listens to its First Nations people.
Richard Riordan, Polwarth MP: NO RESPONSE
Christine Couzens, Geelong MP: YES
I am voting Yes because the Voice to Parliament represents more than just a voice it is a crucial step towards recognizingFirst Nations Peoples within our Constitution and providing them with a direct path to offer advice on matters that directlyimpact their communities.
As we all know, when we listen, we achieve better results for everyone.
Alison Marchant, Bellarine MP: YES
I will vote ‘yes’ because I believe that listening to people and community leads to better decisions.
Enshrining a Voice in the Constitution is our best chance to achieve real change for First Nations people and help unify ourcountry.
It’s part of our history of mateship to help our fellow Australians.
Sarah Henderson, Senator for Victoria: NO
I am voting no because the Voice to Parliament and the Executive is legally risky, divisive, unknown and permanent.
This Voice would open the door to activists and then we don’t know what will come next.
We all want to help Indigenous Australians in disadvantaged communities, but this Voice is not the answer.
Richard Marles, Corio MP and Deputy PM: YES
Mr Marles did not respond to a request for comment, but has campaigned for the ‘Yes’ vote.
Libby Coker, Corangamite MP: YES
The Voice to Parliament is an advisory body that will deliver much better outcomes for Indigenous Australians – outcomes thatwe can all be proud of – it’ll be cost effective, it’s what First Nations people have asked for, and it’s long overdue.
High Court judges, legal experts, and the Solicitor-General all agree, the Voice is not risky – it’s legally sound.
Sarah Mansfield, MLC Western Victoria: YES
I will be voting yes. In my work as a GP, I’ve seen firsthand that when communities help shape programs and services, theyhave better health outcomes.
“The referendum is a significant moment for our country, and an important step towards justice, healing and self-determinationfor First Nations peoples.
Bev McArthur, MLC Western Victoria: NO
Saying no is not saying you don’t care. It is not saying you want existing gaps to widen.
It is simply saying that segregating Australians, and cementing it in constitutionally, is a retrograde step.
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