Greens set to split on Indigenous voice campaign

Lidia Thorpe told a special meeting of the Greens partyroom that she would not support the voice ‘unless she is satisfied it guarantees First Nations sovereignty is not ceded’.

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Greens and their First Nations spokeswoman Lidia Thorpe are set to split over the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, with the ­Victorian senator laying the groundwork to vote No and the rest of her party leaning towards supporting the Yes campaign.

The outspoken Senator Thorpe told a special meeting of the Greens partyroom on Wednesday that she would not support the voice “unless she is satisfied it guarantees First Nations sovereignty is not ceded”.

Under the party’s constitution, members and senators can vote differently to their colleagues, but they must inform the partyroom at the earliest opportunity if they think this may occur.

While the Greens won’t formalise their position until early February, sources said it was now reasonable to infer the party was leaning towards a Yes vote.

“Regardless of the final partyroom position, I have informed the partyroom I will not support the legislation for Voice to Parliament unless I am satisfied that First ­Nations sovereignty is not ceded,” Senator Thorpe said.

“I believe Labor needs to be prepared to be clear about our ­sovereignty. It would take a lot for me to change my personal and long-held view that I don’t think First Nations justice will come from being written into the coloniser’s Constitution.

“Labor has asserted through our negotiations that sovereignty isn’t impacted. It’s not enough. It needs to be explicit. My community expects me to fight for our sovereignty. That is what I have always done and will continue to do.”

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said Senator Thorpe wanted to oppose the voice “no matter what”, after he explicitly told her at senate estimates it would not cede sovereignty.

Government sources questioned how Senator Thorpe could sit in the partyroom as she prepares to split from her colleagues.

Greens sources said Indigenous affairs policy was broader than the voice and whether Senator Thorpe stayed First ­Nations spokeswoman if the party adopted a Yes position would be up to ­leader Adam Bandt.

The partyroom meeting, held via Zoom, was organised this week as Senator Thorpe labelled the voice a “joke” and “tokenistic” and said the advisory body – which will not have veto power over federal parliament – would not end the “war” happening in Australia.

Senator Thorpe has previously declared “I will not be campaigning No” on the voice.

A Greens spokesman said the party remained in discussions with Labor to clarify further details on its approach to progressing truth, treaty and voice and other Indigenous justice policy ahead of an official decision on the voice.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday sought to make Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Mr Bandt share responsibility for the outcome of the referendum, questioning if they would “seize the opportunity to unite the nation”. He also conceded a No result at the referendum would be “difficult” for Australia’s path towards reconciliation.

The Liberals and Greens have so far withheld support for the voice, as Mr Dutton demands more detail on how it would work.

“This should be above politics, frankly,” Mr Albanese told Sky News. “When we talk about ­leadership, I’m not the only person in a position of leadership in this country.

“The leaders of other major parties, and indeed minor parties, including the Greens political party, this is a moment for them as well. Will they seize the opportunity to unite the nation and to take us forward as one?”

Acting Greens leader Mehreen Faruqi said she appreciated Senator Thorpe openly informing the party of her plans.

“The Greens want the best possible outcome and we believe we have a responsibility to continue to apply constructive scrutiny to the government’s plan,” Senator Faruqi said.

“We will therefore not be ­making a partyroom decision until negotiations with the government have concluded. The Greens want to see progress on all aspects of the Uluru Statement – truth, treaty and voice.”