‘So sneaky’: Barnaby Joyce accuses Labor of Voice ‘cover up’

Barnaby Joyce has blown up Sunrise this morning, accusing the Albanese government of a “sneaky” move in a fiery on-air clash.

Barnaby Joyce has slammed the Albanese government for being “so sneaky” and involved in a “cover up” over the referendum for constitutional recognition during a fiery clash with Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek.

As the debate over the Voice proposal heats up, Ms Plibersek told Sunrise host Natalie Barr that “it’s advice, you don’t need to listen to the advice”.

The admission came as she was grilled on whether Indigenous Australians would get a direct say on any issue including the submarine contract.

That prompted Ms Plibersek to shut down the criticism insisting the government could ignore the Voice if it chose to do so.

“The parliament will be able to set the rules,” Ms Plibersek said.

“It’s about advice. So you don’t have to listen to the advice.

“Secondly the third part of this is that the parliament will set the rules around the Voice, how it’s constituted, how big it is, how it’s elected, what it’s got a say over, the parliament will set those rules.”

Barnaby Joyce accused Labor of a ‘cover up’ over the Voice. Picture: Sunrise/Channel 7

He clashed with Tanya Plibersek. Picture: Sunrise/Channel 7

Barr then interjected to ask if Australians would see the legislation outlining how the Voice will work before the referendum to enshrine it in the Constitution.

“Well no, because there’s no point having legislation if the referendum is lost,” Ms Plibersek replied.

The admission sparked a round of eye-rolling from Mr Joyce who warned the proposal would “divide Australia by race” and by DNA.

The former Nationals leader told Ms Plibersek that “you can’t just jump in when you don’t like what is being said”.

.@Barnaby_Joyce and @tanya_plibersek have clashed over the Indigenous Voice to Parliament legislation, as Liberal Tasmanian Premier @jeremyrockliff breaks ranks to support a Yes vote. #auspolpic.twitter.com/lSvcWQrKkC

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) April 9, 2023

“So sneaky. So sneaky,” Mr Joyce said.

“Be honest. Show us the legislation before the Australian people before you vote otherwise you are being sneaky.”

Over the weekend, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed his plans for a team of Indigenous superstars to sell Australians on a Yes vote for a Voice to parliament.

While Cathy Freeman had long been a supporter of the Yes vote, a number of sports stars are in the Prime Minister’s sights, including NBA star Patty Mills and footballer Johnathan Thurston.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Long-time Voice supporter Adam Goodes, a former Australian of the Year, has been working behind the scenes to build support for several months.

Qantas is also expected to emblazon some planes with Yes signs to urge Australians to vote Yes when the referendum is held later this year.

“This now will be up to the Australian people,” Mr Albanese told Sky News.

“And if not now, when? People have an opportunity for national unity.

“I know from speaking to a number of the NRL and AFL players, both past and present, that they will be active in constitutional recognition.

“I expect that not just Tennis Australia, Cricket Australia, all of the sporting carpets or basketball organisations out there.

“The NRL and the NFL, the Football Federation, more commonly called here, have been very supportive of Indigenous recognition for a long period of time.”

Mr Albanese said the Liberal Party had underestimated the support in the community.

“I have hope and faith in the generosity of the Australian people,” he said.