Cracks emerge as Rugby Australia supports the Indigenous Voice to parliament

As sporting codes rally to support the Indigenous Voice to parliament, Rugby Australia has gone to another level.

Rugby Australia has made its position on the Indigenous voice to parliament clear. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images for Rugby Australia

Rugby Australia has joined the growing list of elite sports pushing for a yes vote in this year’s referendum on the Indigenous voice to parliament, declaring it was “long overdue”.

In a bold statement released on Thursday, RA officials declared it was “too important a contest to watch in silence” and wanted to make it clear where rugby stood as a code.

Earlier this week, Brumbies chair Matthew Nobbs said his Super Rugby Pacific club would not be taking a stance and believed rugby’s governing body shouldn’t either.

He said “we don‘t think politics should play a part in sport” and urged RA to stay away from making a statement on behalf of all the game’s stakeholders.

But Nobbs later withdrew his comments and the position was made clear on Thursday that the code unanimously supported the yes vote and one of “unification” for Australia.

“What business does a sporting body have, you might ask, making political statements? And what qualifies rugby, of all sports, to talk about unification?” reads the statement.

“We are, after all, one of four footy codes in Australia. Four codes which compete fiercely for audiences, funding, even players. We’ve rarely spoken in unison in the past. And the Rugby Australia Board certainly doesn’t claim to speak for anyone else now. But the proposed referendum on the Voice to parliament is too important a contest to watch in silence. And we know we aren’t the only sports body which believes the aims of the referendum transcend any rivalries.”

A message from the Rugby Australia Board pic.twitter.com/JfFcASFn5C

— Rugby Australia (@RugbyAU) May 17, 2023

“Because whatever pollies and pundits say, what it comes down to is a principle ordinary Australians already apply, every day, in every aspect of their lives. A level playing field.”

The RA statement cited numerous historical and sporting reasons for backing a Voice to parliament, declaring sport can be a powerful ally for change.

Rugby Australia supports the Voice to Parliament. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)

“That’s why we stood against apartheid South Africa, with Nelson Mandela awarding six Wallabies the Medal of Freedom for their leadership of the protests. The ’67 referendum was the most successful in our history, with the constitutional amendments proposed endorsed by more than 90 per cent of the population,” the statement read.

“But as proud as that should make us, it’s only one milestone in a continuing journey.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are still trapped in a cycle of disadvantage.

“For a fortunate few, elite sport has always provided an off-ramp.

“The year that saw the first Aboriginal person elected to federal parliament was the same year Evonne Goolagong won the first of her seven grand slam titles.

“At the 2000 Olympics, Cathy Freeman won a race which stopped a nation more effectively than any Melbourne Cup.

“And it was the brilliance of three Ella brothers which helped put Australian rugby in the top international tier.”

RA believes the Voice referendum provides the chance to make history.

“And it gives each and every one of us the chance to make Australian history,” the RA statement said

“Despite what you might have read, you don’t need a constitutional law degree to make an informed decision about the vote you cast.”