‘I will make it work,’ Indigenous voice critic Warren Mundine vows

Warren Mundine, an outspoken critic of the proposed Indigenous voice to parliament, says he would actively support the concept if next year’s referendum is passed.

Hannah Hollis and Warren Mundine on stage at the BEYOND’23 conference in Sydney on Tuesday. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Warren Mundine, an outspoken critic of the proposed Indigenous voice to parliament, says he would actively support the concept if next year’s referendum on the issue is passed.

Mr Mundine, a member of the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Yuin people of NSW and former chair of Tony Abbott’s ­Indigenous advisory board, has been fiercely opposed to the idea of the voice since it was first floated – primarily because he wants less government intervention in Aboriginal affairs, not more.

Indigenous leaders already have adequate access to politicians – and have had for decades – but that hasn’t brought about any meaningful change, he told News Corp’s BEYOND’23 conference in Sydney on Tuesday.

“We’ve been doing that for 50 years and it hasn’t worked,” Mr Mundine said. “I want government to get off our backs.

“We really need to be focusing on what’s going to make change, and how the empowerment on the ground can happen.”

But Mr Mundine told Tuesday’s forum that despite his opposition, he would throw his full support behind the concept if the referendum succeeds.

“If the people of Australia want to go down this path then I’m really happy to sign up to make it work, because it has to,” he said.

“We can’t have any more failures. We’ve got to make it work, I’m committed to that, but I see better ways of doing things.”

From the Heart campaign director Dean Parkin, who sat on the BEYOND’23 panel alongside Mr Mundine, Fox Sports presenter Hannah Hollis and Indigenous affairs academic Anthony Dillon, spoke in favour of what a voice could achieve.

“There are plenty of people working in government with good intentions who are passionate about creating change for Indigenous people,” Mr Parkin said.

“But it is impossible for them to understand how things actually work in places like Aurukun and Alice Springs.

“They just don’t understand the impact of decisions that are made so far from these communities.

“Understanding laws aimed at improving the conditions on the ground needs input from the people who these decision affect and who know how things work in their communities.

“Empowering local Indigenous community leaders to advise on needed changes for their communities will create a practical impact. It’s a very good deal for Australia.”

Ms Hollis, a Darwin-born descendant of the Jawoyn people, said she was supportive of the voice because it would “protect” the political agency of Indigenous people.

“Unlike previous (Indigenous) organisations that weren’t given a long enough opportunity to succeed – the likes of ATSIC come to mind – an enshrined voice to parliament will be protected,” she said “You can’t do away with it, you have to make it work.”

Mr Dillon said “at this stage” he was opposed to the proposed voice, but remained open-minded.

“I haven’t outright dismissed it. I haven’t seen enough clear information which tells me exactly how it would work, and how ultimately it would help Aboriginal people.”

The inaugural BEYOND’23 conference, and the accompanying book of essays, was the brainchild of News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller, who delivered the opening remarks at Tuesday’s forum.

“While we already do much in this space with The Global Food Forum, Bush Summit, Vogue Codes and our state-based Future City forums, we also wanted to utilise our thought leaders and critical thinkers to reimagine the future with all its possibilities, pitfalls and potential,” Mr Miller said.

News Corp Australasia is publisher of The Australian.