Elites and celebs won’t win the vote on the voice

Anthony Albanese with Linda Burney and NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Anthony Albanese shed a tear at the opening of parliament on the issue of the Indigenous voice, his Garma speech was excellent and, in the same breath as dumping an Australian republic for at least the next three years, he confirmed the voice as the priority of this term of office. A voice enshrined in our Constitution is worthy, even a lofty ideal for our nation to continue the path to reconciliation with First Nations peoples.

The Prime Minister has had his highs and lows with the voice already. The worst has been the ham-fisted celebrity endorsement attempt from former basketballer Shaq O’Neal, but not winning the vote would be beyond bad. We need Australians talking about a voice, not foreign celebrities. Can we have Buddy Franklin, Patty Mills, and need I mention Ash Barty? We are so blessed with Indigenous talent, we should hear their voice instead of the political and social elites. Celebs, influencers and politicians could see the vote lost if they are the only ones seen to be supporting the change.

The voice is unfinished business from the Rudd era of saying sorry. Kevin Rudd may well be ALP president by the time we vote, taking over from Wayne Swan who has been curiously quiet on the voice.

The voice is unfinished business from the Rudd era of saying sorry. Picture: Getty Images

In the busy news week of tag-team support for the monarchy from Albo to Tony Abbott, and among the tears of republican Malcolm Turnbull, some may have missed that Turnbull now supports the voice. This should send shudders through any voice supporter. I know it worried conservatives that his toxicity among Liberals could shred the bipartisanship needed.

Turnbull’s ego and political incompetence sunk an Australian republic as he became the front man for the “minimalist” model that stank of elitism and was built on trusting politicians rather than voters to pick our head of state. The publicly funded constitutional monarchists didn’t advertise the Queen beyond the base; instead they ran the highly effective “Don’t vote for the politicians’ republic”. I fear a campaign saying “Don’t vote for the politicians’ voice”.

That we aren’t yet a republic speaks to the twin truths about referendums – few succeed and Australians have an innate concern about handing power to the few. In that context, the hesitation in providing definition to the voice is puzzling. Why can’t its powers, roles and responsibilities be detailed before trusting Australians to vote on the resolution? Not giving definition and detail is the epitome of a small-target strategy. Albanese should listen to Indigenous leaders who are calling for more detail.

Recently published polling showed no majority support for the voice, not even in one state. That needs to change dramatically if the voice has any chance. It would do untold harm if this referendum were lost. There is a real risk that could be the result, therefore calm and clear heads must prevail. I understand the passionate desire to rally the troops with a “If not now, when?” and as an ALP member for more than 30 years I’m fully on board, but I fear the consequences if this all goes horribly wrong.

Albanese wants to lead, but his radar has been off in recent weeks. Sidelining the Assistant Minister for the Republic, who had a role while the Queen was alive but now under King Charles III has none for the next three years. Cancelling parliament, then rescheduling it only three days later after copping flak, but for when he will again be away in Japan for Shinzo Abe’s memorial service is just curious. As is not releasing exposure draft legislation on the federal integrity commission that supposedly was due for introduction this week. It just adds to the well-briefed view the legislation is not Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus’s original corruption buster but a Sussex Street-informed pale imitation.

Adding to the general air of uncertainty for the voice are the Greens, ABC activists and others who are demanding a treaty, reparations and power to also be delivered

After Albanese’s Garma speech, well-intentioned commentators declared the most important person had spoken. I hate to break up the “done deal” celebrations, but one voice we have yet to hear is Peter Dutton. The Opposition Leader’s silence is deafening. This worthy constitutional change will be stillborn without bipartisan support. The voice of the Liberal Party membership, of representatives such as senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, also needs to be heard.

Fortunately, Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney knows this and wants widespread consultation and bipartisan support. Australians, however, need to be trusted with the detail and not simply be asked to vote for the politicians’ voice.