NRL backs the “yes” campaign in Voice to Parliament referendum

The NRL has become Australia’s first major footy code to back the “yes” campaign in the Voice to Parliament referendum, with officials confirming their position ahead of the league’s Indigenous round.

The NRL has become Australia’s first major footy code to back the “yes” campaign in the Voice to Parliament referendum, with officials confirming their position ahead of the league’s Indigenous round.

As exclusively revealed by News Corp, the NRL announced its support for the Voice on Tuesday, following the Australian Olympic Committee and Tennis Australia as the latest sporting body to throw its support behind the proposal to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait advisory body in the constitution.

It is understood player groups were due to be briefed ahead of the announcement, which comes two weeks before the NRL’s Indigenous round.

“As a proud supporter of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, since 2017, the NRL is committed to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice,” the NRL said in a statement on Tuesday.

“First Nations communities have deep bonds with Rugby League and are part of our fabric at all levels, from grassroots participants and fans to the Indigenous stars who light up the NRL and NRLW.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo speaks to the media. Picture: Getty

“The NRL has had its own independent voice since the commencement of the Australian Rugby League Commission. The Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council (ARLIC) plays an integral role in making representations to the ARLC with ideas and views on behalf of Indigenous peoples across the game.

“True change comes through listening, learning and taking action – and we encourage everyone in the Rugby League community to get informed by the facts, and use their voice, so that we can move forward together.”

The final wording of the constitutional amendment to create a Voice is due to be voted on in federal parliament at the end of June ahead of the referendum being held between October and December.

In 2019 the NRL came out in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which set out the proposal to constitutionally enshrine a Voice to Parliament following regional dialogues and consultation with Indigenous Australians.

Last month the AFL distributed a memo to all clubs urging them to advise if they would support the Voice ahead of the referendum.

“We invite and encourage you to advise us if your club will be taking a position to support the referendum yes campaign,” the memo sent by AFL Inclusion and Social Policy general manager Tanya Hosch.

“As the AFL will be considering this in the coming weeks, your advice on this will be gratefully received.”

So far the West Coast Eagles and Collingwood are the only two AFL clubs to publicly confirm their support for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Individual sporting personalities including Cathy Freeman, Johnathan Thurston and Eddie Betts are among a growing number of high profile Australians who support the referendum.

It comes as the rival campaigns against the Voice are expected to announce a merger on Tuesday in a bid to become a stronger force against “yes” supporters.

No campaigners have grown increasingly concerned in recent weeks that having two groups, Fair Australia and Recognise a Better Way, were imperilling their chances of victory against the much better funded Yes case.

Fair Australia includes Tony Abbott and opposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Price, and is understood to be much better funded than A Better Way which is spearheaded by former ALP president Warren Mundine and ex-Labor minister Gary Johns.

It is understood the two camps met on the weekend and agreed to merge under a joint entity called Australians for Unity, which would become the single collection point for tax deductible donations to the No case.

Originally published as NRL backs the “yes” campaign in Voice to Parliament referendum