‘Con job’: Barnaby Joyce lashes voice as PM kicks off Yes campaign in WA

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has unleashed a new tirade over the proposed Indigenous Voice to parliament despite opposing claims it is a “super simple” argument.

Barnaby Joyce has hit out at the government over the Voice to parliament, branding it a ‘con job’ as the PM prepares to announce the date of the referendum.

Anthony Albanese will kick off Yes campaigning in WA this week before announcing the highly-anticipated vote date in Adelaide on Wednesday.

The former Nationals leader used his timeslot on breakfast television to accuse the Prime Minister of being ‘sneaky’ over the Uluru dialogues, and lashing out at business leaders supporting a Yes vote.

“What we’ve seen is this 31 page document, persuasive conversation document — otherwise known as a con job. When those heads of companies said you need to be clearer, how about you just table legislation? They won’t do it,” Mr Joyce told Today on Monday.

“The whole thing is just spin, it’s sneaky, it’s slippery, and that's why people don’t have confidence in it.”

Mr Joyce has long opposed the proposition of a First Nations advisory to parliament. Picture: Seven

But Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek fired back, insisting it was a “super simple” proposition.

Ms Plibersek said it was important to keep things simple instead of focusing on false claims.

“This is a committee that would give advice to the parliament to help them make better decisions when it comes to health care or education or employment services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Ms Plibersek argued.

“It won't have a veto and all the things that its opponents are saying, like nuclear submarines or parking tickets.

“It's a simple proposition to change our Constitution so we acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and we do it by setting up this committee that would give advice to the parliament.”

Tanya Plibersek joined the PM in Sydney during a run to promote the Yes campaign. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sam Ruttyn

Their commentary comes as the Prime Minister prepares to attend a series of high-profile events ahead of the announcement of the vote date, which is expected to be 14 October.

According to the latest News­poll, the Yes case now leads in NSW and SA, is tied with the No vote in Victoria.

It still falls behind in WA, QLD and Tasmania.

Professor Michelle Grattan from the University of Canberra said Mr Albanese’s campaign run in SA and WA this week could swing the polls.

“It's always difficult to predict especially so far out from the referendum,” Professor Grattan said on RN.

“South Australia is an important and potentially difficult state.”