‘I have something meaningful to say’: NBA star in talks with minister over reforms

Australian basketball star Patty Mills will leverage his platform amid the debate over constitutional reform for a Voice to parliament, and has already made contact with the federal government on the topic.

With more than half a million followers on Instagram alone, the proud Muralag man from the Torres Strait and Ynunga man from South Australia is moved to educate the world on his culture.

Australian basketballer Patty Mills received an Australia Day honour 2021.Credit: Getty Images

“It’s not like I speak often but if I do it’s because I have something meaningful to say, and the time and a purpose,” he told The Sun-Herald.

Mills spoke with Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney just days after she was sworn in.

“[There’s] definitely communication there, and we’ll see what evolves from that. It’s something that’s definitely intriguing and I’m trying to support in any way I can.”

Mills touched down in Australia this weekend ahead of a national speaking tour and a series of basketball camps for The Patty Mills Unearthed Tour.

“When you get me away from the camera in an intimate space, or a casual conversation, that’s where I really start to most share my passion and ... I can be a little bit more raw,” Mills said.

Patty Mills celebrates Boomers bronze in Tokyo.Credit: AP

The NBA champion led Australia to its first Olympic medal in men’s basketball, scoring 42 points in the bronze medal game against Slovenia at Tokyo 2020 – his fourth consecutive Games.

Mills’ arrival comes after NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal briefly joined Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Burney to talk about the Voice. Albanese said O’Neal had requested a meeting while in Sydney to learn about the issue.

The fallout from the press conference has been mixed, with many questioning the four-time NBA champion’s relevance to the debate and the reason for the media call after the star did not verbally lend his support.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney with former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal last week.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone

However, Mills said O’Neal’s involvement was still valuable. “Shaq himself has done a lot in this space in the [United] States,” he said. “Any support is great, especially in that space. So you know, I hope that hold him well for him”.

During his month-long visit to Australia, Mills says he is looking forward to his mum Yvonne’s cooking and a visit to the Torres Strait Islands.

“It will be nice to do things I did as a kid again, walk around barefoot go spear fishing and hang out in a dinghy and just connect to the land and my culture,” he said.

“There’s always a big flood of emotions whenever I return, and I am glad that I have that to go back to because as I said, then it fuels the fire for everything else that I do”.